Written by Anna Katherine Black, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
GI Psychology
Pain is not just a signal from the body—it’s a message interpreted by the brain. Sometimes, this system gets stuck in high alert. For many living with chronic pain or inflammatory conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), pain can persist long after tissues have healed. Why? Because the brain and nervous system remain locked in a state of protection. But here’s the good news: you can teach your brain a new way to respond. Rewiring the pain response is possible through approaches like pain reprocessing therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and clinical hypnosis—all evidence-based tools designed to help restore balance and reduce suffering.
Understanding the Nervous System: From Alarm to Calm
The “fight or flight” response is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is our body’s emergency brake—meant to keep us safe during actual danger. But in chronic pain, the system malfunctions, and starts misinterpreting safe signals as threats. This keeps the body tense, the brain on alert, and the pain turned up.
Thankfully, the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) helps us come back to calm. Treatments like CBT, clinical hypnosis, and pain reprocessing therapy activate this calming system, shifting the body from alarm to safety—a crucial step in reducing pain and inflammation.
What Is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)?
Pain Reprocessing Therapy is a structured approach that helps people begin rewiring the pain response. By recognizing pain as a false alarm rather than a true threat, individuals learn to respond differently—reducing fear and avoidance behaviors, and gradually teaching the brain that the body is safe. According to research supported by the National Institutes of Health, PRT has shown significant reductions in chronic pain intensity (Ashar et al., 2021).
The Role of Clinical Health Psychology
Clinical health psychologists and other behavioral health specialists are trained to address the emotional and cognitive factors that maintain pain. Through evidence-based methods like CBT, patients can reduce stress and improve their coping skills. When paired with mind-body interventions like clinical hypnosis, therapy can target both the mental and physical dimensions of pain. For individuals with IBD, stress and inflammation often go hand-in-hand—a loop that psychology can help disrupt (Barberio et al., 2021).
Why Telehealth for Pain Is a Game-Changer
Access matters. Telehealth for pain allows patients to connect with licensed clinical psychologists from home. Whether it’s addressing the emotional toll of chronic illness, building new habits, or learning how to calm an overactive nervous system, virtual care is now a reliable, effective tool.
Simple Ways to Support Your Nervous System Today
- Practice deep, slow belly breathing to activate your parasympathetic nervous system
- Use grounding techniques (like naming five things you see or hear)
- Visualize a safe, comforting place before bed
- Work with a licensed clinician who understands the gut-brain connection
Rewiring Is Possible
Your pain is real. But so is your brain’s ability to learn safety again. With the right support, many people find they can reduce symptoms, regain confidence, and live fuller lives. Rewiring the pain response through pain reprocessing therapy, CBT, and clinical hypnosis offers a science-backed path forward.
If you’re curious about how these approaches can support your healing, explore our resources at www.GIPsychology.com/resources or contact us at admin@gipsychology.com to schedule a consultation.
References
Ashar, Y. K., et al. (2021). Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(8), 772–780.
Barberio, B., et al. (2021). Prevalence of anxiety and depression in inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(3), 445.
Navidi, A. (2025). Psychological Treatments for IBD. Presentation, MyIBD Learning, Washington, DC.
American Psychological Association. (2023). Understanding chronic pain and the mind-body connection. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/pain National Institutes of Health. (2023). Rewiring the brain to treat chronic pain. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov