Brain injury in chronic pain 'is reversible'RSS Feed

The brain injury that accompanies the chronic pain in spinal injury could be reversed, according to researchers.

Lower back pain is the most common form of chronic pain among adults, and those with such pain experience cognitive impairments and reduced grey matter in the parts of the brain which deal with processing pain, depression and anxiety.

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that when chronic lower back pain is reversed, so is the brain injury.

Scientists from McGill University and McGill University Health Centre gave cognitive tests and MRIs to determine that the anatomical function of the brain and its ability to function had improved following treatment or surgery to alleviate the back pain.

Senior author Laura S Stone confirmed: "If you can make the pain go away with effective treatment, you can reverse these abnormal changes in the brain."

Back pain is a common affliction that will affect most people at some point during their lives.

Serious Law, award winning brain injury law firm

Posted by Matthew Heap
 

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