Chronic back pain may activate an unexpected brain network, study finds
Movement-induced flares in chronic back pain activate brain regions involved in self-reflection, suggesting chronic pain may be processed differently than acute pain.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia reveals that chronic back pain may activate a brain network associated with self-awareness, challenging previous assumptions about pain processing. The research, conducted on 114 adults with chronic lower back pain, used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain activity during pain-inducing leg movements.
While the study confirmed increased activity in pain-processing regions, it also discovered heightened activity in the default mode network, which typically becomes less active during acute pain. This unexpected finding suggests that chronic pain may involve brain processes beyond those responsible for detecting painful sensations, potentially offering new insights into the complex nature of chronic pain and its triggers.
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