SYMPTOMATIC
Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms
Sharing the New Science of Chronic Pain & Illness
Knowledge Becomes Healing
A life without chronic pain and illness is possible. Your journey begins here.
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.
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.
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 (out of five) adverse childhood experiences 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 this treatment.
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
4 out of 10 people seen by physicians suffer from neuroplastic conditions.
Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs, can cause symptoms generated in the brain rather than the body.
Three Primary Stressors
Personality Traits
Perfectionism, excessive self-criticism, limitations in self-care, and many more.
Current Triggers
People, situations, or events that are stressful or linked to past trauma.
Repressed Emotions
Anger, fear, shame, grief, or guilt that might not be recognized.
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.
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
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.Association for Stress-Based Conditions
Knowledge Becomes Healing
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs, can cause symptoms generated in the brain rather than the body.
Knowledege Becomes Healing
Proven Science.
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.
40 out of 100 people seen in primary care suffer from stress-based conditions.
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.
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.
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.
