Brain & Nervous System Change

Neuroplasticity is the scientific name for our brain and nervous system’s amazing ability to change and adapt. This video explains how neuroplasticity works.

Key Points:

  • Neuroplasticity happens when your brain and nervous system change by making new neural connections.
  • Neuroplastic change is caused by repetitive practiced activities.
  • In good neuroplastic change, if you practice a new skill, new neural connections in your brain will form, and you’ll get better at whatever skill you practice.
  • Chronic pain happens when your nerves become super sensitized. They send pain signals over and over again to the brain, even when there’s no tissue damage that tells them to do it.
  • It’s easier when you’re young to change pathways to the brain to override and reverse pain signals.

Helpful Resources

Pain Concern

By: Pain Concern

Pain concern produces information on pain, provides support to people with pain and those who care for them, and raising awareness about pain and campaigning to improve the provision of pain management services.

Live Plan Be

By: Pain BC

Live Plan Be is a free online self-management tool for people living with chronic pain. Live Plan Be is a customizable self-paced program designed to support you in managing your pain, navigating the healthcare system and moving forward with your life. It is safe, free, and open to anyone.

Pain Tricks

By: Cilein Kearns

A colourful collection of tricks to make medical procedures less scary and sore. For kids and grown ups too! These simple tricks are for kids and their parents to do any time they are in pain, or are having a medical procedure that they are afraid of, especially if it might be painful, such as an injection.