SYMPTOMATIC

Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms

Sharing the New Science of Chronic Pain & Illness

Knowledge Becomes Healing

Creative brain and lightbulb icon, blue and yellow.

A life without chronic pain and illness is possible. Your journey begins here.

Silhouette of a human head with a brain illustration inside, black and white line drawing.

Brain Generated Symptoms

When high levels of stress are not fully recognized, the brain can generate real symptoms. This occurs in many people with strong, healthy minds, affecting one in five adults and one in three patients.

Nerve Pathway Changes

Research shows changes in the nerve pathways in the brain. These occur in people with stress, trauma, and repressed emotions that often are linked to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Learn more about ACEs.

Outline of a human head with a lotus flower inside, representing mindfulness or mental wellness.

Knowledge Becomes Healing

Fortunately, new scientific research shows that Pain Relief Psychology achieves far better relief of pain and illness than older medical approaches.

Science Based.

Donut chart showing 47% in yellow and gray

In a referral-based pelvic pain clinic, 47% reported a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood.

Pie chart showing 85% in green and 15% in black

In a study of lumbar spine surgery, patients who had three or more (out of five) adverse childhood experiences had an 85% likelihood of an unsuccessful surgical outcome.

Pie chart showing 67% in orange and 33% in dark grey.

In a study in Los Angeles, 67% of older male veterans with chronic pain achieved at least 30% pain relief with this treatment.

Donut chart showing 64% in blue and grey

In a study at Harvard, 64% of people with chronic back pain became pain-free after six months of PPD treatment.

CAN YOU RELATE?

PERSONALITY TRAITS

The following are common characteristics among people who experience stress-based conditions. A person may identify with a few or many of these throughout their life. Each often plays a substantial role in the cause and persistence of pain and illness.

  • Excessive self-criticism

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Neglecting your needs

  • Reliable and Detail-Oriented

  • Hard worker

  • Perfectionism

  • Approval-seeking

  • Stressful lifestyle

  • Unbalanced or toxic relationships

  • Poor assertiveness

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Traumatic life event(s)

  • Adversity in Childhood

COMMON SYMPTOMS

People experiencing stress-based pain or illness often have more than one symptom, often they move around the body, and they can be present for years. Below are just some of the many conditions that can be stress-based.

  • Back or Sciatic Pain

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Migraine or Headache

  • Long Covid

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Pelvic Pain

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

  • Functional Neurologic Disorder

  • Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder spasm)

  • Chronic Lyme Disease

  • Dizziness or Vertigo

  • Visual Abnormalities

Illustration of ten stick figures, five in light blue and five in gray, standing in a straight line.

4 out of 10 people seen by physicians suffer from neuroplastic conditions.

Human nervous system diagram, highlighting brain and spinal cord

Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs, can cause symptoms generated in the brain rather than the body.

Three Primary Stressors

Hand with index finger pointing upwards on white background.

Personality Traits

Perfectionism, excessive self-criticism, limitations in self-care, and many more.

hand making a peace sign

Current Triggers

People, situations, or events that are stressful or linked to past trauma.

Hand showing number three with fingers

Repressed Emotions

Anger, fear, shame, grief, or guilt that might not be recognized.

Animated Donut Charts
50% 88% 20%

Painful Numbers.

Over 50 million people who experience pain, illness, and mental health conditions are being improperly treated, finding only temporary resolve to their conditions.

In 88% of people with spine pain, the brain generates pain, not structural damage.

20% of adults suffer from brain-generated pain or illness.

A Word From Dr. Clarke

The reality of a pain-free life and light at the end of the tunnel is crucial for people to believe in.

Symp·to·mat·ic

adjective: Exhibiting or involving symptoms, especially of something undesirable.

Healing is Possible.

Smiling person with dark hair in checkered shirt, black bow tie, and red earrings against dark background.

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Practitioner Membership

  • Clinicians-Only Monthly Practitioner Webinar

  • Approved applicants will be listed in our esteemed Practitioner Directory, gaining visibility among peers and potential clients.

  • Discounts for online courses

  • Discounts to annual Conferences (digital and in-person)

  • Exclusive access to our course on Psychophysiologic Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment

  • Exclusive discount Enjoy a 20% discount on outstanding documentary films related to PPD, including All the Rage and This Might Hurt.

  • WHAT ABOUT A SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE FOR THOSE AS MEMBERS for board members or board-approved books and videos?

Public Membership

  • Public Members-Only Monthly Practitioner Webinar

  • Discounts for online courses

  • Discounts to annual Conferences (digital and in-person)

  • Exclusive access to our course on Psychophysiologic Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment

  • Exclusive discount Enjoy a 20% discount on outstanding documentary films related to PPD, including All the Rage and This Might Hurt.

  • WHAT ABOUT A SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE FOR THOSE AS MEMBERS for board members or board-approved books and videos?

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Association for Stress-Based Conditions

Knowledge Becomes Healing

Half brain, half lightbulb icon symbolizing innovation
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The word 'pain' formed with assorted pills on blue background

Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs, can cause symptoms generated in the brain rather than the body.


Knowledege Becomes Healing

Proven Science.

Pie chart showing 47% in two colors

In a referral-based pelvic pain clinic, 47% reported a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood.

In a study of lumbar spine surgery, patients who had three or more possible serious childhood psychological traumas had an 85% likelihood of an unsuccessful surgical outcome.

Pie chart with 67 percent highlighted in orange, remaining in dark gray.

In a study in Los Angeles, 67% of older male veterans with chronic pain achieved at least 30% pain relief with PPD treatment.

Circular chart showing 64%, blue and gray segments.

In a study at Harvard, 64% of people with chronic back pain became pain-free after six months of PPD treatment.

Rows of blue and black stick figure icons

40 out of 100 people seen in primary care suffer from stress-based conditions.

Painful Numbers.

Circular chart showing 50%

Over 50 million people who experience pain, illness, and mental health conditions are being improperly treated, finding only temporary resolve to their conditions.

Donut chart showing 88% in blue and 12% in gray.

In 88% of people with spine pain, the brain generates pain, not structural damage.

Donut chart showing 20% in yellow and 80% in gray

20% of adults suffer from brain-generated pain or illness.

Painful Numbers.

Orange and gray circular chart showing 50%.

Over 50 million people who experience pain, illness, and mental health conditions are being improperly treated, finding only temporary resolve to their conditions.

1 in 40 people seen in primary care suffer from stress-based conditions.

Circular chart showing 88% in blue and gray segments.

In 88% of people with spine pain, the brain generates pain, not structural damage.

20% of adults suffer from brain-generated pain or illness.

Painful Numbers.

Over 50 million people who experience pain, illness, and mental health conditions are being improperly treated, finding only temporary resolve to their conditions.

1 in 40 people seen in primary care suffer from stress-based conditions.

In 88% of people with spine pain, the brain generates pain, not structural damage.

20% of adults suffer from brain-generated pain or illness.

Compelling Studies.

In a referral-based pelvic pain clinic, 47% reported a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood.

In a study of lumbar spine surgery, patients who had three or more possible serious childhood psychological traumas had an 85% likelihood of an unsuccessful surgical outcome.

In a study in Los Angeles, 67% of older male veterans with chronic pain achieved at least 30% pain relief with PPD treatment.

In a study at Harvard, 64% of people with chronic back pain became pain-free after six months of PPD treatment.

Painful Numbers.

Over 50 million people who experience pain, illness, and mental health conditions are being improperly treated, finding only temporary resolve to their conditions.

1 in 40 people seen in primary care suffer from stress-based conditions.

In 88% of people with spine pain, the brain generates pain, not structural damage.

20% of adults suffer from brain-generated pain or illness.

PERSONALITY TRAITS

The following are common among people who experience stress-based conditions. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here. More copy here.

  • Perfectionist — Best effort is rarely good enough.

  • Approval-seeking — Focus on pleasing others.

  • Self-critical — Standards for yourself are much higher than for others.

  • Recurring stressors — Highly stressful people or situations in your life.

  • Unbalanced relationships — Giving more to others than you receive in return.

  • Toxic relationships — with people who are demanding, controlling, or threatening.

  • High-stress lifestyle or High-Achiever — always have challenging goals.

  • Neglected pleasure or Guilt — Not caring for yourself as much as others.

  • Emotional dysregulation — Unexpected outbursts of negative emotions (anger, fear, shame, grief, guilt).

  • Toxic self-treatment — A current or past addiction, eating disorder, self-injury, or suicide attempt.

  • Anxiety — Difficult to control anxiety, nervousness or worry.

  • Depression — Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.

  • Loss of interest — Loss of pleasure in previously enjoyable activities.

  • Post-traumatic stress — Symptoms linked to a terrifying, traumatic, or horrifying event.

  • Intrusive thoughts — Disturbing memories, images, or dreams of a trauma.

  • Empathy for childhood adversity — If you learned that a child you care about was experiencing everything you did as a child, you would feel sad or angry.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

People experiencing stress-based pain or illness often have more than one symptom, or move around the body or are present for years. The cycle of pain, illness, and short-term reprieve–if any– is exhausting. Stress-induced symptoms are common in these conditions and countless others.

  • Back or Sciatic Pain

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Functional Neurologic Disorder

  • Migraines or Headaches

  • Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder spasm)

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Long Covid

  • Pelvic Pain

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

  • More Symptoms

COMMON SYMPTOMS

People experiencing stress-based pain or illness often have more than one symptom, or move around the body or are present for years. The cycle of pain, illness, and short-term reprieve–if any– is exhausting. Stress-induced symptoms are common in these conditions and countless others.

Can you relate to any of the following?

  • Back or Sciatic Pain

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Functional Neurologic Disorder

  • Migraines or Headaches

  • Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder spasm)

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Long Covid

  • Pelvic Pain

PERSONALITY TRAITS

The following are common among people who experience stress-based conditions.

Can you relate to any of the following?

  • Perfectionist — Best effort is rarely good enough.

  • Approval-seeking — Focus on pleasing others.

  • Self-critical — Standards for yourself are much higher than for others.

  • Recurring stressors — Highly stressful people or situations in your life.

  • Unbalanced relationships — Giving more to others than you receive in return.

  • Toxic relationships — with people who are demanding, controlling, or threatening.

  • High-stress lifestyle or High-Achiever — always have challenging goals.

  • Neglected pleasure or Guilt — Not caring for yourself as much as others.

  • Emotional dysregulation — Unexpected outbursts of negative emotions (anger, fear, shame, grief, guilt).

  • Toxic self-treatment — A current or past addiction, eating disorder, self-injury, or suicide attempt.

  • Anxiety — Difficult to control anxiety, nervousness or worry.

  • Depression — Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.

  • Loss of interest — Loss of pleasure in previously enjoyable activities.

  • Post-traumatic stress — Symptoms linked to a terrifying, traumatic, or horrifying event.

  • Intrusive thoughts — Disturbing memories, images, or dreams of a trauma.

  • Empathy for childhood adversity — If you learned that a child you care about was experiencing everything you did as a child, you would feel sad or angry.

Personality Traits

Do you identify with any of the following personality traits? The following are common among people who experience stress-based conditions.

  • Perfectionist — Best effort is rarely good enough.

  • Approval-seeking — Focus on pleasing others.

  • Self-critical — Standards for yourself are much higher than for others.

  • Recurring stressors — Highly stressful people or situations in your life.

  • Unbalanced relationships — Giving more to others than you receive in return.

  • Toxic relationships — with people who are demanding, controlling, or threatening.

  • High-stress lifestyle or High-Achiever — always have challenging goals.

  • Neglected pleasure or Guilt — Not caring for yourself as much as others.

  • Emotional dysregulation — Unexpected outbursts of negative emotions (anger, fear, shame, grief, guilt).

  • Toxic self-treatment — A current or past addiction, eating disorder, self-injury, or suicide attempt.

  • Anxiety — Difficult to control anxiety, nervousness or worry.

  • Depression — Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.

  • Loss of interest — Loss of pleasure in previously enjoyable activities.

  • Post-traumatic stress — Symptoms linked to a terrifying, traumatic, or horrifying event.

  • Intrusive thoughts — Disturbing memories, images, or dreams of a trauma.

  • Empathy for childhood adversity — If you learned that a child you care about was experiencing everything you did as a child, you would feel sad or angry.

Common Symptoms

Can you relate? People experiencing stress-based pain or illness often have more than one symptom, or move around the body or are present for years. The cycle of pain, illness, and short-term reprieve–if any– is exhausting. Stress-induced symptoms are common in the following conditions:

  • Back or Sciatic Pain

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Functional Neurologic Disorder

  • Migraines or Headaches

  • Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder spasm)

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Long Covid

  • Pelvic Pain

Did you know?

Over 50 million people who experience pain, illness, and mental health conditions are being improperly treated, finding only temporary resolve to their conditions.

The brain can generate real symptoms when high levels of stress are not fully recognized. This occurs in many people with strong, healthy minds, affecting one in five adults and one in three primary care patients. 

How so? Research shows changes in the nerve pathways in the brain. These occur in people with stress, trauma, and repressed emotions that often are linked to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). 

Fortunately, research-proven Pain Relief Psychology achieves far better relief of pain and illness than older medical approaches. 

Knowledge becomes healing–and the journey begins here.

Listen up.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

A life without chronic pain and illness is possible. Your journey begins here.

Pain Brain