For many people suffering from chronic pain—whether it’s back pain, migraines, arthritis, long-term concussion symptoms, or side effects from cancer treatment—medication often isn’t enough to provide lasting relief. In fact, 1 in 5 adults live with chronic pain, and many struggle to find effective solutions.
A new study, published in The Lancet and led by Professor Lene Vase from Aarhus University, sheds light on how psychological therapies can significantly ease chronic pain by causing real, physical changes in the brain.
For years, it has been known that psychological treatments can help reduce pain, but the underlying reasons for this relief were not fully understood. Was it just a mental distraction, or was there something more concrete happening in the body?
According to Professor Vase, who also holds a doctorate in medicine, this new study brings us one step closer to understanding the true power of psychological treatment for pain relief.
The research team, led by Vase, reviewed numerous past studies that, on their own, were too small to draw strong conclusions. However, by analyzing them together, the researchers found a clear pattern: psychological therapies do not just change how people feel about pain; they also cause real, measurable changes in the brain and spinal cord, altering how pain is processed.
This is an important discovery because it shows that the benefits of psychological therapy are not just “in your head”—they are rooted in physical changes within the body.
One of the standout methods highlighted in the study is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of therapy that helps people change negative thought patterns that can make pain feel worse.
When people are in pain, it’s easy for their minds to fall into automatic thoughts—worrying about how pain will affect their lives, fearing it will get worse, and avoiding activities they used to enjoy.
These thoughts often happen without conscious control, as if the brain is on “autopilot.” This automatic thinking is controlled by a part of the brain called the default mode network, which is closely linked to pain and emotional processing.
The researchers found that CBT helps to change the activity in these brain networks. When people learn to shift their thought patterns and focus away from pain, the brain’s response to pain actually decreases.
This is visible on brain scans, where there is less activation in the areas that typically process pain. Essentially, CBT teaches the brain to “unlearn” some of its automatic pain responses, helping people manage their symptoms more effectively.
Vase explained that when pain takes over, it can consume everyday life—making people anxious about their jobs, relationships, and physical activities. But CBT can help break that cycle, allowing people to live more normally despite their pain.
The result? Less pain and a better quality of life. These changes are not just felt—they are visible in the brain, providing concrete evidence of how psychological therapy changes pain perception.
The findings have practical implications for doctors, psychologists, and even patients themselves. While face-to-face therapy is highly effective, there simply are not enough psychologists available to treat everyone with chronic pain.
The good news is that doctors, nurses, and even physiotherapists may be able to help guide patients toward more helpful ways of thinking that reduce pain. Vase is optimistic that these approaches could be expanded in everyday healthcare, providing relief to more people.
Interestingly, the study also mentions the rise of digital tools for pain management. There are currently more than 500 apps designed to help with psychological pain relief. Although many of these apps have not been scientifically validated, Vase believes that CBT-based apps could be a good choice for those seeking relief while waiting for more solid evidence.
The researchers hope their findings will encourage more studies to further understand how these psychological treatments work. If medical professionals can learn how to better guide patients in changing their thought patterns, it may be possible to improve the lives of millions living with chronic pain—without relying solely on medication.
As Vase concluded, “We are now one step closer to understanding how psychological therapy not only helps people cope with pain but actually changes the way their brains process it. This could lead to more accessible and effective treatments for chronic pain sufferers everywhere.”
If you care about pain, please read studies about how to manage gout with a low-purine diet, and a guide to eating right for arthritis.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and avoid these 8 foods to ease arthritis pain.
The research findings can be found in The Lancet.
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