By Jack Rogers | Chiropractor
When people experience back pain, they often assume something in their spine is “out of place” or damaged. While injuries and structural issues can contribute to pain, research over the last few decades has shown that the brain and nervous system play a major role in how pain is created and maintained. This is where the concept of neuroplasticity becomes important.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and reorganize itself based on experiences, movement, thoughts, and sensations. This is a good thing—it’s how we learn new skills and recover after injury. However, neuroplasticity can also work in less helpful ways when pain persists.
In cases of chronic or recurring back pain, the nervous system can become overly sensitive. Even after tissues have healed, the brain may continue to interpret normal sensations as threatening. This process is sometimes called central sensitisation, where pain pathways in the brain and spinal cord become more efficient at producing pain signals. In simple terms, the nervous system learns pain.
This helps explain why imaging findings like disc bulges or arthritis don’t always match how much pain someone feels. Many people without pain have similar findings on MRI, while others with significant pain show very little structural damage. Pain is not just about what’s happening in the spine—it’s about how the brain is interpreting information from the body.
The encouraging news is that neuroplasticity works both ways. Just as the nervous system can learn pain, it can also learn safety, movement, and confidence. Positive experiences such as gentle spinal movement, exercise, and hands-on care provide new input to the brain. Over time, this can help “turn down” the pain response.
Chiropractic care plays a role by improving spinal motion and providing sensory input to the nervous system. Movement-based care helps remind the brain that the spine is capable and resilient. Education is equally powerful—understanding that pain does not always equal damage can reduce fear, which is known to amplify pain signals. When fear decreases, the nervous system often becomes calmer.
Lifestyle factors also influence neuroplasticity. Stress, poor sleep, and lack of movement can keep the nervous system on high alert, while regular activity, relaxation, and healthy habits support healing. A comprehensive approach that addresses both the body and the nervous system gives patients the best chance for long-term improvement.
Back pain is real, and it can be frustrating. But it is also modifiable. By working with the nervous system instead of against it, many people can reduce pain, improve function, and regain trust in their bodies.
Book in with one of our expert practitioners today to find out more, and see how we can help you overcome back pain once and for all.
References
- Moseley, G. L., & Butler, D. S. (2015). Fifteen years of explaining pain: The past, present, and future. Journal of Pain, 16(9), 807–813.
- Woolf, C. J. (2011). Central sensitization: Implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Pain, 152(3), S2–S15.
- Apkarian, A. V., Hashmi, J. A., & Baliki, M. N. (2011). Pain and the brain: Specificity and plasticity of the brain in clinical chronic pain. Pain, 152(3), S49–S64.
- Flor, H. (2012). New developments in the understanding and management of persistent pain. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 25(2), 109–113.