What Is Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)?
Rewiring the Brain. Releasing Chronic Pain.
Pain Reprocessing Therapy is a mind-body approach based on the understanding that many forms of chronic pain are generated and maintained by the brain—not because the pain isn’t real, but because the brain has learned to interpret safe signals from the body as dangerous. This learned pain response often develops in response to stress, trauma, or long-term fear, even after the original injury or issue has resolved.
PRT helps retrain the brain to interpret these signals more accurately and with less fear. Through gentle awareness practices, somatic tracking, guided reflection, and nervous system regulation, clients begin to feel safer in their bodies— and as the brain shifts out of the pain-fear cycle, symptoms often decrease significantly or resolve entirely.
The Science Behind Pain Reprocessing Therapy
Pain Reprocessing Therapy is grounded in neuroscience and supported by clinical research. A major randomized controlled trial—known as the Boulder Back Pain Study (2022)—found that 66% of participants treated with PRT were pain-free or nearly pain-free after just four weeks of treatment. This was a significantly higher success rate than for those receiving standard care or placebo.
The foundation of PRT lies in addressing what's known as the neuroplastic pain cycle where the brain continues to produce pain signals despite the absence of structural injury. By creating new neural patterns rooted in safety rather than fear, the brain can quiet these signals and support lasting relief.
Ashar, Y.K. et al. (2022). “Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain.” JAMA Psychiatry, 79(1), 13–23.
Who is PRT For?
Pain Reprocessing Therapy may be especially helpful for those who:
Live with chronic pain such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, TMJ, fibromyalgia, or pelvic pain
Have tried many physical or medical treatments without lasting relief
Are curious about the mind-body connection and open to a new way of understanding pain
Feel anxious, fearful, or stuck in relation to their body or symptoms
What to Expect in a Pain Reprocessing Therapy Session
Pain Reprocessing Therapy sessions are educational, body-aware and tailored to your experience. The work involves exploring how your brain has been responding to pain—and how it can learn to respond differently.
A session may include:
Education about the pain-fear cycle and the role of the brain
Somatic tracking to notice pain with calm, nonjudgmental attention
Mindset shifts around fear, beliefs, and patterns that may reinforce pain
Guided reflection to explore stress or emotion gently held in the body
Nervous system support to help you feel grounded and safe as your system learns to regulate.
You don’t need to “push through” or perform—simply show up as you are. Most clients begin to notice shifts after just a few sessions, and deeper changes often unfold over time as your brain relearns safety.
My Approach to Pain Reprocessing Therapy
I come to this work with deep respect — for your experience, your body, and your story. Living with pain can be exhausting and frustrating, and my role is to walk alongside you as we explore a new way of relating to pain — with curiosity, compassion, and safety.
Through PRT, we combine education, gentle awareness practices, and new ways of relating to pain. This approach helps the brain recognize safety and recalibrate its pain signals. As this shift happens, people often experience reduced pain and greater ease — both physically and emotionally — with lasting changes in daily life.
