Elliot Krane: The mystery of chronic pain

[@andyrooney12]

I live with chronic pain and I wish this man success. I'm tired of taking pain killers...been taking them for 7 years and I can't wait for the day I will be pain free so I can live a sober life.

[@Gpacharlie]

If you don’t feel sober in them you might be taking too much. Getting to the optimal dose is a long project.

[@mustangnawt1]

This was 11 yrs ago. Where is the technology Doc!?!? We need it so much

[@Gpacharlie]

Ten years ago I had Rx of pain meds which allowed me enough function to raise 4 kids, one with special needs, and care for an ill wife. The thing they worried about then was the high dose of acetaminophen. Now I get less than half of that dose and they still try to push me down. They could care less if I take all the advil and tylenol I want to buy as long as they aren't responsible for Rx it. The fact that I can show such an improvement with higher doses means nothing to them and my suffering just is not the priority. This is a sad state of our country that those who are the most helpless or the sickest are not valued any more.

[@marykate2239]

my dads in the same situation, has a failed back and doctors dont know how hes walking. Now doctors wont even look at his file because of how much medication he needs. Ive watched him decline rapidly in the past 3 years and i wish there were compassionate doctors out there

[@gymnast2890]

Prostatitis CPPS BS Degenerative disc disease by definition is the degeneration of disc(s). They push into the spinal cord & cause pain. No amount of muscles, stretching, or massaging will fix that disc. I was a dance choreographer for gymnastics & former Elite gymnast. In 1990 I had a epidural, but they missed & hit the disc, evidenced by blood everywhere & the 1st backache IN MY LIFE. I continued to coach, etc. Gymnastics builds muscles in EVERY SINGLE PART OF THE BODY. In 2000 I got ovarian cancer & pain shooting down my leg. In 2007 I was in my 2nd severe auto accident & it was over. Only back surgery, ADR would help. The muscles evidenced in my BACK were defined. Stretched. And NOTHING done to the muscles on the outside will make a disc whole without causing spinal stenosis onTHE INSIDE. I have an extremely high tolerance for pain, but I can't walk. Just fall down the NERVES in my left leg & around my SPINAL CORD are damaged. Only Dr. Forrest Tennant has ever regenerated nerves in this country to my knowledge. I also have UC-1993, RA-2010, 3 auto-immune disorders & of which 2 are extremely painful, & nerves in my face messed up. (Called the suicide disease by uncaring Drs it's so freaking painful) cluster migraines also very painful. I have ANOTHER ovarian tumor on my remaining ovary, & 1 on my liver. How are you going to say massage will resolve my chronic pain?

[@gymnast2890]

Chuck W I kept thinking " It's like they're trying to kill us, deliberately". They changed the definition in the DSM-5 ( Bible of Drs & Insurance Co) of addiction from addiction to DEPENDENCE. No more benzos either. ...so a 80 yr old with cancer is EXACTLY the same as the recreational heroin user. Look it up. I thought ....WHY? I've never gotten "high" off pain meds? I hate the feeling if I feel ANYTHING that clouds my thinking & I'm still in pain! I quit PM when I had cancer the first time because it seemed all I felt was side effects & little relief. I think my body metabolizes these drugs poorly...it was different in the hospital, IV it worked without ill side effects. Anyway, I came across Agenda 21 & it turns out the US agreed to depopulate by 2/3 by 2050. For SUSTAINABILITY. This is not a secret, it's on Wikipedia, you can check the references. Who would the Gov get rid of 1st? Who did Hitler get rid of 1st? The disabled, the weak, the poor, anyone who cost the gov who couldn't work? Then Jews were used to work & some killed.etc. Vets who are disabled are killing themselves at the highest rate due to these laws, & CPP's increased suicides everyday. Perhaps that was their intention from the beginning of the war on CPP's. Ken McKim explains the breakdown of how the media lies, although I've read 90 people a day, 27,000 as of 2014 ODed....14,000....11,000 & they're not sure about those. Ken McKim " The slow death of compassion for the chronically ill". He's such a gentle soul, lost his wife in pain. #Don'tpunishpain

[@gymnast2890]

Mary Kate I'm so sorry. I've declined rapidly in the last 3 yrs as well. No kid should have to deal with a parent suffering from chronic pain. I know how much it hurt my son. The kids are the most forgotten ones of all. It's like having half a parent...or watching your parent fade...so sorry.

[@Gpacharlie]

Prostatitis CPPS What you say is true to a large extent in many chronic pain sufferers. I do all the muscle work, ( and it is painful in itself as you probably know) and have had much success in that regard, BUT, it is only one aspect of a full blown pain syndrome. If that is what you have and only that count yourself very fortunate. If you can afford massage therapy consider yourself twice fortunate. I have managed to manage the muscle aspect as you have described but for me it is only 1/5 of my problem.

[@abilavelle5740]

Trying to explain to someone what having chronic pain feels like is a nightmare, maybe I'll just forward them the link to this from now on

[@williammatthews2948]

Abi Lavelle I've suffered with severe chronic pain due to a severe back injury in 2002 and I wholeheartedly agree with you. I try to explain to my wife and others and they say "I understand." No they don't! Trying to explain to someone who doesn't understand what those of us who suffer from is like putting gasoline in a wrecked car. I hope you heal and that your pain stops. Take care.

[@frankpuccio7871]

my thoughts exactly. Your a fighter, I hope you are no longer in pain

[@TheNAJunkie]

Abi Lavelle have you read about the 'spoon theory' about chronic pain? It's a good explanation I often use

[@carmensierra3935]

i existed with it so far now 11 years spine and nerves distroyed and impossible to explain to anyone

[@beautyakimbo4833]

The spoon theory is about living with Lupus but has been adopted buy much of the chronic/invisible illness community 💜🦄

[@ireneduke5022]

I suggest everyone in pain to read articles on WHAT DOES PROLONG PAIN DO TO YOUR BRAIN. The brain can't deal with pain and will cause so many problems if pain isn't controlled. For me, I am in constant battle with my brain, for it 'tells me to do something to stop the pain'. This psychological problem started when the knee surgeon inserted a partial knee replacement incorrectly, and the device eventually came apart and ripped my leg bones and ligaments off the knee destroying bones and ligaments. I felt like someone was hitting my knee with an axe for 3 months.. I wasn't living in chronic pain but trauma pain. The untreated trauma pain (for 3 months) shattered my brain and soul. It is hard to grasp that a doctor would allow me to suffer vs helping me. AVOID surgery until it is your last option. My heart goes out to ppl who are like me and can't get proper rx to stop pain.

[@khalidsaifullahbanday2841]

In the face of pain there are no Heroes. Only people suffering from Chronic pain know how difficult it is to live with chronic pain.Others can never understand this.

[@veeherreraJanecka]

Thank you. Have had it for 18 years now due to a neck and head injury. It stole so much of my life, but I have found grace for myself.

[@JediNiyte]

This gives me a ton of hope. I've lived with severe Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or whatever we're supposed to call it these days) since 1993. Just found out yesterday that I'm losing my disability benefits because - according to the Social Security Admin's information my "condition has improved adequately to sustain work". Which is odd, since I'm still having to spend between 18-20 hours out of every day either in the bed or on the couch. What little energy I have is spent on exercise (to prevent other hypokinetic illness) and housework. Of course, being a 40-year-old man who doesn't LOOK sick is the worst part of all. Fortunately, my hubby is a physician who sees this kind of thing every day, so I have his full support. It just sucks that I'm now going to have to rely on him for financial support, too. Not that he minds, but it's a tough pill for me to swallow, since I've always been self-reliant. I was encouraged with the recent ALS ice bucket challenge. Maybe if the FM/CFS community can get a few celebrity endorsements, maybe we can generate enough visibility to secure more research dollars. Anyway, best wishes to everyone! ~HUGS~

[@veeherrera2575]

Some have tried every therapy and still battle this. Its very devastating. Ty for posting. My neck was severely whiplashed,,as well as a brain injury. Ive had chronic pain for 8 years now. It changes your psychology, but I fight to get back sine of my former life.

[@mayemcdonald9111]

“ To live is to fight”. Victor Hugo

[@Gpacharlie]

Me too. Major head and spine trauma. It caught up with me and finally I had to retire. God bless and be very kind to you.

[@Gpacharlie]

vee herrera Me too. Major head and spine trauma on 3 occasions, It caught up with me and finally I had to retire. God bless and be very kind to you.

[@gabelincoln3608]

Happened to be as well

[@ramonarinne602]

I have chronic pain due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and fibromayalgia. Pain is a disease in itself and it is difficult to treat and manage. I talk about my experiences with it on my channel.

[@Gpacharlie]

Prostatitis CPPS I know you have had success with getting the muscles to calm down and it takes work and it hurts but it can be very helpful. Just know that for many their pain is more complex than muscles.

[@kelviannaepperson3677]

I am 25 with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy and there is not much study in adults only children but it has no cure so I don't know why doctors don't know about it. Every little thing I do despite the pain feels like a victory

[@triphik]

I have multiple sclerosis which breaks down the myelin coating on the nerves... causing chronic pain which does not in reality have a cause- but the brain interprets as pain anyway. Loss of use of muscles, eyesight, organs deciding not to work anymore go along with the gutwrenching never ending pain. The mental crap that goes with it is inevitable. OPIOID use is inevitable. PAIN IS NO JOKE!!

[@beckyhoyt4244]

No and I am sad for you😔

[@klikkerTV]

Try starecta rectifier

[@Gpacharlie]

I spent 13 years in uniform and 23 years doing a high stress job. I’ve raised 4 kids and been through two divorces. None of that compares even close to the job of living with chronic pain. If there are any points in heaven for suffering, we win.

[@lovenotablenonsense]

The condition he's talking about is complex regional pain syndrome, which is something I manage personally every day. Sometimes it's living death. It's ruined my life. My Insurance won't cover therepy, only medication, TENS and a spinal chord stimulator. Because of this I've dropped out of high school, I've been in a wheelchair for years. I was hoping this video would have something to help. It didn't, but regardless I'm sure it's helped others. Thanks.

[@Gpacharlie]

Are you doing any better now 5 years later? I hope so. 🙏🏻

[@humility1st]

Also in a chair or in bed. had it diagnosed '96. I hope you have had help.

[@12345andrews]

Find someone who does graded motor imagery

[@tynawena]

Have you ever heard of Dr. John Sarno and his book "Healing Back Pain" and the documentary about him called "All the Rage... Saved by Sarno" on Amazon Prime. It's about the mind/body connection. A lot of chronic pain is not physical, but psychological because of unprocessed childhood traumas and suppressed anger and rage. I'm learning all about it now.

[@lukaszwolf2688]

I think I've read all his books, they are great! It's somehow a process for me to put it in practice as I need to change my thinking patterns and basically relax mentally in order to stop being in pain. Haven't watched the film yet. I was looking for a comment mentioning Dr. Sarno :)

[@Gpacharlie]

Thank you for giving this talk and doing a public service to bring knowledge to people about those of us living with chronic pain.

[@humility1st]

Chuck I have seen your comments on many videos.Thank you for sharing and putting the time in to comment. You frequently say what I am going through.Best to you!

[@Gpacharlie]

humility1st Oh thanks 🙏🏻. I really do care. If I ever can crawl out of this pain hole long enough I want to help people with pain. I’ve learned so much and I can truly say to them, “I feel your pain.” You know that I wish for you some good pain relief and some better function.

[@kingofuganda]

I have chronic pain (pressure on head) for 4 years now after a trauma, especially when i am concentrating on sth. and i can say it takes the motivation in life from you, it took me everything, my friends, my job etc. I hope that they will develope some medicine soon because its really hard to live like that ..

[@Gpacharlie]

Is that pressure inside or outside the skull? Does it ever feel like your brain is ‘hot’ or can you hear it ‘sizzle’ when it’s quiet around you.

[@matthewjones5925]

I had a flesh eating disease that took half of my back side off. Its been four years now and I have suffered ever since. Some days I have to walk with a Cain and its really hard to get around. I have been to multiple specialist and have done multiple MRIs. I been tested so much that I feel like a lad rat. I push myself hard at time because I want to get better. Truth is... its broken me down. I keep my head up and fight every day but it gets harder. I am only 31 years old. I used to be very very active. It's hard for me to open my eyes anymore. I don't get out much. I feel really good some days and when I do I just wanna run and take on the world. If I do too much it will catch up to me and I will pay for it later on. I wish someone could help me and everyone else that is suffering. I will continue to be a lab rat until I find a cure for what I have.

[@i_live_pain8420]

I am only 27 and due to a fracture in my cervical spine, I feel exactly as you described. I hope you are doing alright, I am only reaching out because I feel so alone and close to the end.

[@Gpacharlie]

I fractured my cervical and thoracic spine in over 15 places. I was 22. I’m now 60. You can still have a life, but first you have to decide that you will not let it defeat you. Then you have to take each day one at a time and take as much beauty away as you can find, and know that you aren’t alone. There are many of us who understand you and wish you the best. There is not one medicine or one surgery or one therapy that’s going to fix you. It’s a time and trial thing and for me an ever increasing faith and trust in our loving God. After all if he can trust us to handle chronic pain he can trust us with a lot of things.

[@dss7507]

May be try some homeopathic treatment along with conventional

[@TeddyMear]

I think it is wonderful it worked for Chandler. I have had RSD/CRPS for almost 14 years now. Have been through the stellate ganglion blocks, physical therapy, and just about every treatment you can think of. Nothing lessens the pain for more than a day or two. Meds take some of the edge off. But unless you go to an specialized pain mgt doctor who knows all about RSD, you won't be medicated properly. Neurological Chronic Pain is a relentless burning, stabbing, horrible pain and we need a cure.

[@paulah5910]

YES! I ve been (trying) to live with chronic pain for about 8 years now. I am only 30. I am very mad right now after spending a lot of money in one those treatments the doctor mentions, and many many others I ve tried in the past. It is not so “easy” to treat as he mentions. I guess the 16 years old case is more of a exception than a rule.

[@weepingangelsrsdfoundation9083]

This is an amazing video! That not only explains chronic pain in a precise manner, but also a truthful one as well. Chronic pain is a terrible disease that effects so many, that to few see.

[@philbrick5]

Ive been dealing with chronic pain for almost 8 years now. I had my esophagus removed due to a rare disease called achalasia. During the procedure my vagus nerve and thoracic nerve were cut. I have a constant burn in my my chest and every breath feels like things are ripping apart (24-7). I need to look further into this because both opioids and the pain are killing me and ruining my life. Prayers to everyone who goes through this.

[@philbrick5]

As a side note I woke up the other night in such bad pain that I sat there looking at my bottle of pain meds. I know all I have to do is take a bunch and its lights out and my pain goes away. In the same breath I looked over at my wife and realized even though my pain goes away I would inflict pain and life long trauma on my family. I will continue trying to get help until it kills me.

[@AbellWild]

8 years of pain and a spine surgery later..... I'm still in pain..... This reaches to me more than you'll ever know. Thank god for the internet and youtube. I'll keep searching; because I must.

[@SarahKDB]

What spine surgery did you have? I've had 2 in the past year. Have you thought of getting a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted?

[@AbellWild]

@@SarahKDB I had a traditional L5/S1 fusion with full hardware. At first it seemed to help, but unfortunately that was short-lived. And yes, I've considered the stimulator but it was only a brief discussion with my doctor. Do you have experience with the stimulator? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts about it. And thanks for the question!

[@SarahKDB]

@@AbellWild I had a laminectomy and discectomy at L4-L5 and also the pain relief was short lived. I then had the Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted for my blanket rib pain (the entire back of my rib cage, it hurt to breathe). The implant helped a lot with the pain. I've had about 50% pain relief, which is low for the implant, but as you know...that would make a huge difference! I'd seriously discuss the idea with your doctor and do a lot of research. You can do a trial (I got 100% pain relief from the trial!!!) and see how it works for you. I have the Nevro HF10 implant and you can't feel the buzzing at all which is nice (the other older models you could feel a buzzing like a TENS unit). Have you tried a TENS unit? If not, definitely do that first! They're amazing!!! Anyway, don't give up! 😊

[@AbellWild]

@@SarahKDB I'm very sorry to hear you didn't find a decent amount of relief with the surgery. I've struggled everyday with burning and numbness. So, I'm very thankful that you shared this information with me. Very awesome of you to do so! Maybe someday this plague will be resolved. I sure hope so.

[@Kris-qm6nr]

felt that. carry on no matter what

[@tdesha100]

I struggle with chronic severe pain and this gives me no hope. Because being sick is a business to these people and they will not simply cure people so they can get better. There would be nothing in it for them. There is absolutely no incentive for them to take us off these meds they currently give us. Won't believe it until I see it and experience it.

[@fasjohnny]

+tdesha100 I have been suffering from chronic pain for over 4 years and I lost my hope too...

[@tdesha100]

+fasjohnny I'm so sorry 😓 it really is torture to be living in chronic pain and in my experience doctors are almost no help. I sincerely hope you are having better luck with them. I really hope you get better. 🙏🏼

[@fasjohnny]

tdesha100 Doctors are my worst enemies, they completely don't understand my case, only makes me realize how rare it must be, they try to examine it by touching although I tell them it will make it worse for later, when I come back they are surprised and have nothing to say. I wonder how much longer I can cope with it. Thanks god we don't live forever, it surely won't hurt you after you die. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you'll get better too one day.

[@tdesha100]

+fasjohnny yes I understand they are my worst enemies too. They just don't care and they don't listen. It's infuriating because they're supposed to be people you turn to for help and depend on for your health and wellbeing and they are just giant selfish disappointments. I've been crushed so many times at the doctors office that I've now developed a full blown phobia of going to the doctor. Doesn't leave us with many options when they suck so much ☹ I'm so sorry they don't listen to you. Don't be afraid to tell them what to do or advocate for yourself because it is your body and most of the time if you do research you know much more about yourself than they ever will.

[@NymphetaminexXxGrrrl]

+tdesha100 As much as i hate to say it, i believe you are right. Why cure someone's pain when you can profit from it instead? They don't have to live with it, and so don't care...Though this frustrates me to no end, as i have suffered chronic pain for half my life, and no one likes a whiner, so i tend to suffer in silence, as people just don't want to hear about it. That or people think you are a hypochondriac or exaggerating. Either way it doesn't help me or others with pain issues one bit. I feel as though my body is a prison and that all the things that make life worth living are simply not a possibility for me. Sometimes I'm not sure why i bother with life at all, as the pain is unbearable, with no relief, day and night, and there simply aren't enough good things in life to make suffering this much worth it. I'm not suggesting i plan to kill myself, just that i am desperately trying to make this better so that life is worth this much pain. I just can't imagine being like this for the rest of my life. There has to be an answer, i'm just waiting to find it. I wish you the best with your own struggles and hopefully we will all find relief sooner than later.

[@klitersemson5482]

As someone who's lived with / dealt with chronic pain for several years I believer one overlooked cause of "Fibromyalgia" is the computer (too much and at certain times of day). My symptoms started when I was using the computer at night for long sessions which led to interrupted sleep patterns and morning headaches. While any pain syndrome is complex, I'm convinced that tight muscles are mostly to blame here which lead to constricted pathways in the body and screws up the chemical balances leading to fatigue and other neurological symptoms.

[@klitersemson5482]

What has helped me? Daily exercise in the form of cardio / strength training, stretching, massages, posture, limiting computer and EMF intake especially at night. Diet changes and certain supplements also make a difference. I'm writing this because I feel it's possible to get a handle on pain and even reverse it and am close to doing it myself.

[@ikyathay2998]

Kliter Semson hi. What's emf?

[@tweeze123]

Kliter Semson Interesting. I did consider at one point that excessive computer use might've caused my chronic pain.

[@Gpacharlie]

Prostatitis CPPS Yep. Absolutely necessary.

[@nicolahocking5981]

This was very interesting. I suffer from severe chronic pain in my back along with nerve pain in my legs. I do, rarely, suffer from allodynia in one of legs and its horrific.

[@SarahKDB]

Is that your hedgehog in your photo? It's adorable. I must know its name.

[@shadowswallow]

His example at the beginning is perfect. I'm an adolescent pain patient. I'm twenty now and have been in constant pain, spanning joints, nerves, and muscles, for eight years. That's almost half my life. The treatments now are crude beyond belief. Because I've been on narcotic painkillers for so long, my body has become extremely desensitized. Without high doses I can't get up in the morning. Physically. I can't stand. I fall over. I had to drop out of college due to this.

[@Pawnlust]

Your spine MRIs are fine?

[@cmmndrblu]

My brother broke his wrist and the pain went to his legs and he couldn't walk for six months- and the physiotherapist said "we used to not believe kids in your situation, but we know better now and we're gonna take care of you" and now he's fine

[@Pawnlust]

Curious, any idea what helped?

[@physiotherapistpaulina9340]

This was so useful Dr. Krane! More on chronic pain please, and how that girl's treatment with meds/PT/OT evolved for her until she was able to function again. Super exciting for us to see that, particularly those of us working in Chronic Pain. Thanks so much.

[@GeorgiySlobodenyuk]

@KowaruKei No, he meant that pain, in the general sense, is a symptom of an underlying problem: spider poison, inflammation, etc. The chronic pain he mentions that causes feedback loops can be considered a disease, since the body should technically not alert you when there is no problem (glitch).

[@SeekerKC]

I have a mild form where being touched feels like salt, or lemon juice, in a wound over top a bruise. I've often described it as having no skin, or "raw." The sensation of a touch can linger for up to a couple of minutes, with waves of pain/discomfort rippling out from the touch point throughout my body. Opiates (currently: Butrans 20mcg/hr & oxy) are more successful than cannabis, but that's not saying much. PT has helped battle the fatigue & atrophying, in general. Best wishes to all.

[@fdimichele]

Chronic pain is definitely a problem that is "coming out". I would like to see more programs that address it from an early age. Kids that play sports are very much at risk should they have extended pain due to an untreated injury. I see the future bringing much to the table, but I see a lot of healthy people in high up positions that just cannot understand how "real" pain can get. Hope one day that we are able to map pain pathways and remove them without surgery (20 yrs? maybe).

[@Gpacharlie]

Well it’s been 5 years and sadly I think we are going in the wrong direction except for some very expensive private therapies. Might take another 10 just to turn it around.

[@dansizemore6319]

This is such an excellent lecture! From the great opening joke to the end. Of course you are scientifically very accurate. The great thing is that this lecture makes sense to patients and health care professionals alike. I am an orofacial pain specialist, and while nothing here was new it was ingeniously presented. I will share this with my colleagues and patients alike.

[@gazellerichardson9135]

Chronic/acute pain for 32 years after over exposure to Round Up, and being hit as a pedestrian by a motor vehicle. Yeah, it was a bad year. Diagnosed with Fibro; the dumpster for pain patients who don't respond to regular treatment.

[@DMoore-em7is]

I would like to know what evidence he references when he says that pain pills don't work. Why not listen to chronic pain patients, millions of us say they do work. If they don't work for some, then find another way to help them, but don't break what's not broken. No medication works for everyone, You understand chronic pain because you study it, Chronic pain patients understand it because we live with it.

[@naniwho4691]

The only medication you need is to reprogram your mind.

[@danashannon8234]

I know. Only opiates even touch my pain. & now they lie & tell us they don't because they don't want to prescribe them anymore. I suffer so bad bcuz nobody will give me pain medicine.

[@Gpacharlie]

When those new meds become available in the future it will be wonderful. My future is the next hour. Please give me enough of those symptom maskers as I need right now. Withholding is a cruel torture both for me and my family impacted by my pain condition,

[@smoothbanana]

He ends just as it got interesting. I still think laughter is the best medicine :)

[@Gpacharlie]

It really does help,

[@treecek]

I diagnose and treat chronic pain. Have been a massage therapist for 21 years, and know exactly the cause for each client. It took me 10 years to develop this ability. If you are suffering with chronic pain, I can help you at least know the cause. Depending on the cause, will determine whether it can be eradicated completely or just treated to minimize symptoms.

[@dedisfication]

it's absolutely obvious that TED talks should expand true out the world!!

[@karasoylular992]

elliot its Sara soylular i was in ur prep program, anyways my knee really HURTS still and idk when it will go away and what to do your an amazing doctor

[@truecruelty1]

my fiancee has chronic pain syndrome for the last 4 years it hasn't been easy but it can be managed !

[@doriweishaar4901]

Elliott Krane, l hope you read these comments. I enjoyed your Ted talk very much. I'm actually going to send this video to my husband, kids, sister, physical therapist and doctor. Im sure the pt and Dr already know the science but l really loved your example with the feather & torch. I've had diabetic plural neuropathy for many many years in my hands, feet, right eye, stomach and a few other areas I'll leave a mystery.... at any rate for anyone reading this who don't know, it is excruciating, progressive, irreversible nerve damage pain. It's three in the morning kind of pain that makes you want to just permanently check out. (Thank you for addressing the mental aspects of chronic pain !!!) Until now, there's been no really acceptable way for me to explain the invisible disease and accompanying pain to my spouse, adult children, Dr etc. There're supportive have asked about my pain... I've told them it's life altering ~ that it's like wasps stinging you and you cannot get then off . Ive also likened to going to someone's house & wash up and their hot water comes out scalding ~ you can pull your hand away and stop the blistering pain. But l can't pull my hands/ feet/ eye e.t.c. away. Thank you sho much for doing this Ted talk, l know as a patient and nurse that understanding the science as you presented it will help me and MANY others 👍

[@Tom449800]

Wow he hits the nail on the head....sadly i noticed that the girl had RSD aka Reflex Sympathic Dsytrophy at least that is what my arm looked like when everything went wrong from a carpel tunnel surgery. Its the worst chronic pain known to mankind, he gets it right we feel like someone has put gasoline on us and lite us on fire..mine has spread bodywide...19yrs of this...at least there's hope that something might work for this pain in the future..because i'm so tired of hurting and wishing to die

[@jdbricksquad1017]

This pain is so bad for me , it’s correlated over into IBS , back pain , leg pain and slight psychosis , I feel like killing my self somedays because I can’t focus on my school/career , I can’t sleep 😴 , but when I do sleep for 8 + hours I still feel very tired 😓

[@345HEMI1]

Same here fighting for 14 years I'm so lonely wish I had someone to talk to about anything

[@ucarouen]

@@345HEMI1 What are you fighting?

[@Gpacharlie]

You can calm that shitstorm and regain your sanity but it takes time and focus. Awareness, breathing, forgiveness and writing every day whatever thoughts are in your mind, then shred the writings. And moving, especially gently walking for 10 minutes to a full hour.

[@Gpacharlie]

FRED SCHRECENGOST It’s so easy to isolate. Even going to the grocery store and striking up a friendship with the produce guy can help.

[@treecek]

The location of the pain, is not where you find the cause. But as a massage therapist for 21 years, have never had 1 client where the location of the pain, did not also show inhibited blood flow..Not 1.

[@Ceretrea]

But what about pain as a result of ongoing disease? Chronic pain can still be a symptom, and if there is no cure for the underlying disease then pain persists.

[@aashishsah8690]

Suffering from NDPH ( New daily persistent headache) since 2.5 yrs A chronic persistent headache problem which has severly affected my Cognitive function..

[@AdvancedCellTraining]

Sounds terrible! I'm sorry :(

[@Callofthevaffles]

Chronic stomach pain is the worst kind of chronic pain. And no one ever talks about it.

[@UltimateReaperStudio]

Oh god I know how you feel. It's fucking terrible, and these fucking doctors are clueless.

[@i_live_pain8420]

Kurt Cobain...

[@RoxyBabeful]

+Callofthevaffles id have to disagree with u there

[@stillsurviving5864]

Callofthevaffles I have chronic stomach pain but after I developed CRPS I quickly realized that's not even close to the worst kind of pain. So it's bad but CRPS is rated the most painful condition in the world (worse than amputation, childbirth with or without medication, broken bones, and many other things, according to the McGill Pain Index) and that's not talked about much either. Pain in general needs to be talked about more but it's good to be aware that it's not the worst thing ever.

[@mayemcdonald9111]

StillSurviving I agree. Nerve pain is the worst. It is exhausting.

[@Jared2324]

this guy is a great speaker. he looks completely comfortable

[@justdoblueycl-ghl961]

The concept of Chronic pain has changed drastically over the past 10 years.

[@Wollff85]

@SuicidalWormPoo Right now we understand the problem - chronic pain - reasonably well. From there one can go and think about possible avenues of attack: targeting the responsible cells or proteins with specific drugs. The current therapies sometimes work and sometimes don't. Future therapies, attacking the causes, are still far away. The part about the solutions for the problem is so short, because at the moment there often are none.

[@connemaraist]

Hi I am still confused of how did you cure Chandler arm

[@harleymuir4849]

I have Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy (RND), which is an amplified pain disorder. So I can try to explain the treatment process for you as best as I can! This is just how it was for me so I'm not totally sure that Chandler had the same type of treatment that I did but he mentioned intense physical therapy so I'm hoping I am correct! The condition mentioned above with the feather and blowtorch can be a symptom of RND. The treatment consists of intense physical therapy to "rewire" your brain. For me, I had 6 hours of therapy everyday and this treatment normally takes 2-4 weeks although it can take months. It does not always work though... Heres the thing with RND, there technically isn't anything wrong. You could have thousands of tests done and the results would all come back normal. So for lack of better words, its "all in your head" so to change that, you have to make your brain see that doing these things isn't going to hurt you. Normally when pain happens in your body, the immediate reaction is to stop doing whatever it is you were doing when you felt pain. So with this physical therapy program, they force you to continue doing the things that hurt. For example, if your leg hurts when you walk, they make you walk. If your arm hurts when its touched, they touch it. You have to show your brain that doing these things is actually okay. It is a very painful process and its hard on the patients body, BUT if it works, then the pain goes away. I hope I made that easy enough to understand! Again, this is just how it was for me, I don't know if it was the same for her.

[@Krisberg00]

Are you still painfree? I have stomach pain(on the right side, right besides the ribs(5 cm over the belly). I don't know how to stop the pain, since i cant controll the pain at all. Any tips?

[@carlaavruskin6511]

Harley Lynn Thank you for outlining what happens during therapy. My 11 year old son injured his foot 4 months ago. The X-ray was clear but after a couple weeks of crutches the pain wasn't improving. By then the swelling was gone and his description of pain was more vague. When it still didn't improve a few weeks later he was given a walking boot and we were told "3 weeks of this and he'll be fine; kids heal fast". But his pain continued; he could walk but complained often, and refused to run. Another month after that the doctor admitted, "I'm stumped. Try another 3 weeks of wearing boot but with no weight bearing", which we are attempting now (he is stubbornly weight bearing while wearing the boot instead). I can tell that the doctor, and even my husband, are questioning if this is "all in his head"...meanwhile my son keeps asking me why he's not healing and showing more despondency over having to limit activity. My question for you is what is the best way to find a PT that specializes in this kind of therapy - what do I ask for when I start calling clinics? Thank you.

[@vertebrae3352]

@@Krisberg00 that's possibly liver pain.get it tested.

[@098anne]

@commentssurvey have you had your vitamin d levels checked? I suffered for almost a decade with serious fatigue and chronic pain all the way into my bones... Then FINALLY was found to be severely d deficient. 5 months later I'm so much better! As for the talk... I'm glad someone is thinking causality instead of band-aid. About time.

[@1schwererziehbar1]

i really love the whole audio setup at TED. it makes the sound perfect.

[@roberttosa2560]

Pain free audio. 🙂

[@hammer5174]

What can you do for Peripheral Neuropathy in the feet and legs ???????

[@SarahKDB]

Didn't really learn anything from this. But it's nice people are talking about it.

[@DE72CiMogar]

From the pictures of the patient and the description of the pain, I would say Complex Regional Pain Syndrome instead of trigger points associated with Chronic Myofascial Pain.I've been living with CMP literally head to toe with trigger points for a little over 10 yrs. I've had allodynia episodes on 15 occasions during the 10 yrs but it wasn't as intense as CRPS. Have a Wiki read about it and check out some images. Nasty. I appreciate that some people know about trigger points, though. Thanks.

[@Gpacharlie]

Yep me and my theracane are very familiar with them.

[@Viracocha711]

@gaiagale If you referring to Biofeedback techniques yes that can be useful to some people as a "mind over matter" means of pain reduction. I have taken a whole course on those techniques & they are very interesting even extremely COOL to learn how to control so many aspects of your body that you had no idea one could. But for me & many others those techniques only go so far because Neuropathic Pain I have is honestly too intense to even describe. The feather blow torch analogy was close!!

[@fdimichele]

You should go to a pain specialist not a regular MD. They may have a decent explanation. Diagnosis is pretty much concerned with general area and level of pain. There usually is no "that's what caused it moment" for patients. Pain is very serious. The pain cycle is very damaging to every aspect of your health (cognitive, emotional, sexual, etc...). It is super important to do what you can with non habit forming drugs and exercise and stress reduction techniques right away!

[@Gpacharlie]

Frank Dimichele I agree and a good pain doc will help with that. Meds may be necessary but they at least will help you find the optimal dose.

[@ThePinkBinks]

@bamboo4tameshigiri I forgot 2 mention that I recently tried Naproxin & got nothing out of it so I was moved onto Diazepam which is good but the dosage 2 low- makes me sleepy though. Apart from fibro (which I don't believe I really have) & allergies I don't have any diagnoses 4 y I'm in pain (joint muscle head skin etc). So many types of pain. It's not so bad I beg to die anymore but is still BAD. Just wish I knew what causes it all.

[@tommyboy1986]

same

[@gymnast2890]

How lucky was Chandler to have him as a Dr! I'm confused. " Chronic pain" is also the result of unresolved disease ( cancer, RA, MS, falied back surgery or just a injury that became worse rather than healed....which degenerative disc disease is by definition the disc (s) continue to degenerate ....pushing on the spinal cord causing pain....right?) . Any answers?

[@CarmelMacmillan]

I have lived with chronic pain for 15 years. I have tried everything!!! Where are we at with developing drugs that will really help?

[@CognosSquare]

Why did Chandler get alodinia and meanwhile other peope do not? Was her glial cells different or was there another factor interacting?

[@rowiemillar7321]

Chronic pain from surgery nerve pain is excruciating

[@ratholin]

I was impressed by this topic. I thought it'd be another thing about fibromyalgia which seems to get diagnosed as often and with as much care as ADD used to a couple years ago.

[@nlsleep7431]

I'd like to see more of these from Southwest Spine and Pain in Logan Utah.

[@KowaruKei]

@Youanden i dont mean to argue, in any way i'm wrong please correct me. but from what i hear, the chronic pain didnt cause the feedback loops, the feedback loops caused the chronic pain. unless the increasing reception of stimulus eventually caused the feedback loops, then i am wrong.

[@Gpacharlie]

I don’t believe from my own experience and that if many others that chronic use of opioids causes increase in chronic pain levels. I do believe that some people do develop tolerance over time but many don’t and for many people a properly managed opioid Rx is a huge blessing. Many of the alternative and cognitive therapies require that one has to first get out of bed then out the door then drive down the road and get back again. When one is at a pain level of 6-7 and higher they can’t even start. This is where a dose of opioids is critical for many, just enough to get that pain down to a 6 or lower consistently so they can try the other therapies.

[@kristinowens3568]

Thank you so much for this video.

[@Claire-STARZ]

I have thalamic, or chronic pain syndrome - I discovered on accident that FRESH carrot juice is an amazing pain reliever. I have absolutely no explanation. I have burning and tingling in my left leg, and because my stroke was central/right my right leg is also numb (but no pain). I found 6 oz of carrot juice did the trick. Put half an apple in with 1 lb of carrots (1 lb = 6 oz).

[@Gpacharlie]

You are very fortunate. Apparently that combo is going to the right place and doing the right thing. I hope others will be helped but I think you are a rare fortunate one.

[@ThePinkBinks]

@bamboo4tameshigiri &@ Anyone else who'd like to reply- I did find that taking 800-1000mg of L-Tyrosine a day as well as digestive enzymes to help me digest my food PROPERLY to get the nutrients out of it did make a difference to my pain & energy levels but I don't receive a disability cheque right now despite qualifying for it so don't have the money for the things that make me feel better- but any other suggestions are welcome. :)

[@Rene-uz3eb]

“increasing evidence points towards peripheral tissues as relevant contributors of painful impulse input that might either initiate or maintain central sensitization, or both” “In contrast, second pain (transmitted by unmyelinated C-fibers), which is strongly related to chronic pain states…” “Second pain increases in intensity when painful stimuli are applied more often than once every three seconds” “Sustained administration of opioids in rodents over one week can not only elicit hyperalgesia but also induce neurochemical CNS changes commonly seen with inflammatory pain” [ie even without pain stimuli. I’m guessing this is dose dependent?] Biology and therapy of fibromyalgia: pain in fibromyalgia syndrome, 2006

[@Channelsnature]

@1stNightingale I'm from the US and I agree with you, overuse of medication has a direct correlation to chronic pain, along with food choice and dehydration (water). Hugs

[@Gpacharlie]

Staying hydrated is always important.

[@1stNightingale]

@bamboo4tameshigiri Yes sure it has its pros after being tampered with regulated and pharmaceutically produced but the plant itself provides something which is addictive in itself and once in the state you cannot willingly exit. You also know that the majority of issues that can arise from misuse which is exactly what my first comment was about.

[@dawnrunsamok]

@ThePinkBinks, I am sorry to hear of your allergy, it's truly frustrating to know that a drug so potentially beneficial will not work. I have ACM and, among a laundry-list of symptoms, I deal with acute nausea & emesis on a daily basis. Unfortunately, my Docs have tried EVERY anti-nausea drug on the market. Not one worked. I empathize with you whole-heartedly. And it sucks to realize that your Docs have given up. It feels overwhelming at times. If I can help, please message me.

[@ThePinkBinks]

@Bamboo4tameshigiri I don't know what Kratom is. I'm in the UK & take opioid meds & muscle relaxants but can't seem to do much about my joint pain & my swelling limbs may be down 2 a mystery allergy. The relaxants help my muscle pain but I'll try anything to get rid of the remaining pain (often agonising)- well I say anything- I'm not a sucker for homeopathy or magnet therapy etc & I know how placebos work :) Thanks for responding :)

[@BT-km7nl]

Kratom does wonders. Do it in moderation

[@philliprossa428]

How can I do the mirror exercise for my neck and upper back?

[@WaleedTawfiq]

Well in my opinion the cause of the pain in their case was due to inflammation of the fascia where they sprained and as most of the nerves end in the dermal and epidermal area, so most of the nerves end in the sound get inflamed and cause allodynia pain. Treatment for this case start do deep tissue massage and release the trigger points in proximal and distal area of the pain or using cupping massage also use distal points acupuncture like Dr Tan's method. Instead of masking the pain ❤

[@alteredselfwellnesscoachma4476]

Thank you

[@transcendingshadows]

The answer is always touted to be in the future.. But it never seems to get here. The human mind will never figure out such complex cases. Only living according to nature’s laws and receiving the Grace from the Supreme Being (meaning that which created and sustains this human body and planet) knows how to do this. But that requires change in our personal lives. But humans want a quick fix...

[@ThePinkBinks]

To anyone talking about cannabis, homeopathy & Vitamin D - please help me? VitD doesn't cure me but it helps a little especially if I use a tanning bed. I tried some illegal drugs through desperation- found pot didn't work & makes me feel worse except for 1 type but I don't know what it was & can't get it again. Coke made me feel like I was 16 again! Bee venom helps a little - but what else can I try that's legal? The pain's BAD :'(

[@cailinalainn8614]

my mam has fyrbomyalgia,thank you for this talk

[@1stNightingale]

@Channelsnature Good to see there are some intelligent people out there. Hugs to you too.

[@ombermudez]

Dónde quedan las causas emocionales? Ella no pasó su prueba tan importante para su futuro. Todo está conectado con todo, sólo hay que observar bien las conexiones

[@bigt9905]

"But the future is actually even brighter..." Lets not get too excited. These "future drug" claims are often made without regard for the fact that for most drugs, the better the treatment effects, the greater the side effects as well. The "crude" treatment of PT, occupational therapy and psychotherapy, while uncomfortable and rigorous, will likely be a far better option for most people with chronic pain vs. comfortable, easy future drug therapy with its (more than likely) serious side effects. Hopefully I'm wrong...

[@Avidcomp]

What's the news on the development of those drugs? What are they?

[@ksipes01]

Dr. Krane is brilliant! If it was not for he and his team of MD’s, mental health professionals and therapists my daughter would probably be curled up in bed right now. It was a rough road, just like he said……but well worth it! The PPRC program at LPCH is the best, if you have a child or are under the age of 18 I would highly recommend it!! You will need to have some tough skin though, it is not easy to watch your child suffer while participating. But it needs to be done!!!!

[@Gpacharlie]

Thank God there is hope for these kids.

[@Andreas748]

I know this don't help everyone with MS but did you try vegan diet as the immune system often doesn't react the same way as to a more toxic higher protien diet w/ animal foods. Some people on McDougall diet have done extremely well

[@Gpacharlie]

My sister has MS and she has gotten some help by going vegan.

[@kragthor]

@OcularPolitics Marijuana as a cure for chronic pain is mainstream. And its even legal in some states and gaining acceptance nationally.

[@69n420]

The only thing I found to help my allodynia is using drugs and alcohol

[@THEkchandlerrosemont]

Sadly, that treatment wouldn't have worked for me.

[@TragedyZ]

@OcularPolitics I'm all for legalization, but cannabis isn't very good at helping chronic pain. (some strains work quite well, but they are few and far between)

[@niko010001]

can't wait for that

[@NWURTS01]

Looking for motivation to deal with my ongoing chronic pain and find this in accurate picture and explanation. There are true real injuries and illnesses that simply don’t fit with this foolish example of the feather and the hammer. When this guy ever has any of the conditions that we have and tells me he is being able to be free of pain, then I believe it. As I read comments, I know I am not alone. For people like me who don’t want to take more drugs and pills there is not solution.

[@tommyboy1986]

it's called allydonia what he was talking about

[@Marrizka1]

Yes there is a cause but the human body is very complicated. Although we learn more about it everyday, there is still a lot we do not know and maybe will never know. This disease is very complicated and they just don't know. Believe me it's not because they are not searching hard enough.

[@KowaruKei]

Pain is still a symptom of the disease where "the nervous system develops feedback loops"?

[@KeshetAylonit]

i understand compleatly. doing gymnastics and feeling like you are being sprayed with a blow torch. thats crude.

[@bethhutch7625]

ALL I CAN DO NOW IS CRY PLEASE PRAY MY BRAIN WILL WORK RIGHT

[@gj2986]

better a thousand drug users get their kicks than for one pain patient to be left go untreated

[@valken666]

When My body does not obey. I slap it and push it to the limit until it works. Works every time.

[@Gpacharlie]

Some truth to that. The brain can be a stupid bully.

[@11CNotes]

Am I the only person who doesn't understand how the speaker got from "we treat the patients crudely" to the girl with chronic pain doing gymnastics? On the one hand I appreciate the legitimacy given to chronic pain, but on the other hand a bit put off by how blithely he went over the future of treatment. Maybe just trying to be optimistic idk. Either way on a personal level I got choked up during the blow torch part...

[@Gpacharlie]

Unless one suffers chronic pain they are only interested or disinterested observers.

[@tommyboy1986]

yeah i'm confused too, i thought he was saying our current treatments suck and then all of a sudden he ends with the girl cured and doing cartwheels lol.

[@reg8297]

Where is the place this lady got help

[@kimisom9839]

regina hehir www.advancedpathways.com/ Contact Traci at this website, she can help.

[@matthewsmith1612]

After 9 years what drugs have been developed ?

[@joycecrumley7077]

You can look at her arm and tell something is wrong,