Chronic Pain and the Rewired Brain: A Holistic Approach with Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, and Neuroplasticity

“After trying everything from physical therapy to pain meds, I didn’t think acupuncture could help but after just a few sessions my back pain, neck pain, and migraines were 80% better.” – T.C.

Living with chronic pain can feel like being stuck in a loop of suffering. The original injury may be long gone, but the pain remains, sometimes growing louder. This is not just a symptom—it’s often a reflection of how the nervous system has been rewired. Through the lens of both modern neuroscience and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this blog explores how we can unwind the pain loop using acupuncture, herbal medicine, and neuroplasticity-based therapies, while also addressing the emotional and psychological dimensions of pain.

The Rewired Brain and Chronic Pain

In chronic pain, the nervous system becomes hypersensitive due to maladaptive neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to repeated stimuli. While this adaptation is often beneficial for learning and healing, it can also reinforce pain patterns. Over time, the brain forms well-trodden “pain pathways” that become automatic, even without an ongoing physical cause.

A study by Vanderah et al. (2001) highlights how repeated exposure to opioids may further reinforce these maladaptive changes within the spinal cord, worsening pain over time. This underscores the importance of non-pharmacological methods that encourage positive neuroplasticity—the rewiring of the brain for healing, not suffering.

TCM's Perspective on Pain

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic and individualized approach to chronic pain. In TCM, pain arises when the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood is disrupted, stagnant, or deficient within the meridian system. Each patient presents a unique pattern of disharmony, and identifying this pattern allows practitioners to treat the root cause of pain, not just the symptoms.

Understanding Qi from a Scientific Perspective

Qi, while rooted in ancient philosophy, has drawn attention from modern researchers seeking physiological parallels. Qi is believed to guide all bodily functions, much like how electrical signaling, circulation, and neurochemical activity govern function in Western physiology.

Several studies suggest Qi may correspond with:

• Bioelectric signals in nerve and muscle tissue (Ahn et al., 2008)

• Interstitial fluid channels along fascia, potentially mapping onto meridian pathways (Yin et al., 2017)

• Autonomic nervous system modulation and neurotransmitter regulation, especially through acupuncture (Zhou & Benharash, 2014)

Although Qi is not directly measurable by current scientific tools, its effects—when stimulated via acupuncture or herbal medicine—are increasingly observable in measurable physiological terms.

Common TCM Differentiations in Chronic Pain

TCM recognizes several diagnostic patterns that explain chronic pain's roots.

Here are the most common:

1. Qi and Blood Stagnation

• Etiology: Trauma, surgery, or chronic tension impairs circulation.

• Symptoms: Fixed, stabbing pain that worsens at night or with pressure.

• Treatment Principle: Move Qi and Blood, stop pain.

2. Cold-Damp Obstruction (Bi Syndrome)

• Etiology: Exposure to cold/damp environments, especially in those with weakened defenses.

• Symptoms: Heavy, achy joints worse in cold weather, stiffness.

• Treatment Principle: Warm the channels, dispel cold and dampness.

3. Wind-Damp-Heat Bi

• Etiology: Chronic inflammation or autoimmune processes.

• Symptoms: Swollen, red joints; pain that shifts location.

• Treatment Principle: Clear heat, expel damp, unblock meridians.

4. Liver Qi Stagnation

• Etiology: Emotional stress, frustration, or trauma.

• Symptoms: Distending pain, mood swings, digestive upset.

• Treatment Principle: Soothe Liver, regulate Qi, calm the mind.

5. Kidney and Liver Deficiency

• Etiology: Chronic illness, aging, overwork.

• Symptoms: Dull, achy lower back/knees, fatigue, cold sensations.

• Treatment Principle: Tonify Kidney and Liver, strengthen bones and tendons.

Acupuncture: A Tool for Neurological and Energetic Rewiring

Both body acupuncture and auricular acupuncture (ear points) are highly effective for regulating pain. These treatments stimulate the nervous system, reduce inflammation, increase endogenous opioid production, and influence neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA (Zhou & Benharash, 2014).

Meta-analyses support acupuncture’s efficacy for a range of pain conditions:

• Vickers et al. (2018) found acupuncture significantly more effective than placebo for back pain, osteoarthritis, migraines, and neck pain.

• Auricular acupuncture, in particular, has been shown to stimulate the vagus nerve, shifting the body into a parasympathetic healing state (Asher et al., 2010).

Acupuncture also supports neuroplastic rewiring by reducing the brain’s over-responsiveness to pain and retraining it toward calm regulation.

Herbal Medicine: Internal Support for Pain Relief

Customized Chinese herbal formulas are prescribed based on each patient’s pattern. For example:

• Qi and Blood stagnation: Herbs that invigorate circulation.

• Cold-Damp obstruction: Warming and drying herbs to dispel dampness.

• Kidney deficiency: Tonics to nourish Yin, Jing (essence), and Yang.

Research supports TCM herbal combinations for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and adaptogenic properties. Herbal medicine helps regulate immune function, support sleep, and improve emotional regulation—all critical in chronic pain recovery (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [NCCIH], 2022).

Addiction-Free Pain Management® and Neuroplasticity

The Addiction-Free Pain Management® (APM™) system integrates the science of neuroplasticity with cognitive, emotional, and behavioral tools for chronic pain recovery.

This method addresses:

• Biological (physical pain, inflammation)

• Psychological (anxiety, depression)

• Social (support, isolation)

• Spiritual (meaning, empowerment)

Patients learn to build new neurological “highways” through self-awareness, movement, acupuncture, nutrition, and emotional healing. Over time, these new paths reduce the brain’s pain sensitivity and restore function.

Anticipatory Pain and Emotional Amplification

One of the most insidious contributors to chronic pain is anticipatory pain—pain that arises from the fear of pain itself. Research shows that when people expect pain, the brain's pain centers activate even before any physical stimulus (Wager et al., 2004).

This leads to:

• Increased muscle tension

• Nervous system hyperarousal

• Avoidance behaviors

• Worsening of pain perception

Through acupuncture, mindfulness, biofeedback, cognitive reframing, and education, patients can retrain their anticipatory responses, reducing overall pain intensity and reclaiming activity without fear.

The Chronic Pain Iceberg: What Lies Beneath

Pain is never just physical. The Chronic Pain Iceberg reflects what’s hidden beneath the surface:

• Mental health challenges: Anxiety, depression, trauma

• Sleep disorders

• Cognitive distortions: “This will never get better,” “I’m broken”

• Substance use or medication dependency

• Social isolation and spiritual disconnection

Treating chronic pain holistically means addressing what others often don’t see—but what the body always feels.

Spoonies: Understanding Energy Limitation and Invisible Illness

Many patients with chronic illness identify as Spoonies, a term coined by Christine Miserandino to explain the limited energy resources people with chronic illness live with daily. Each activity—getting dressed, cooking, working—uses up “spoons.” Once they’re gone, exhaustion and pain can be overwhelming.

Holistic treatment helps Spoonies:

• Replenish energy

• Reduce inflammation and flares

• Improve resilience

• Feel seen, validated, and empowered

The Path Forward: Rewiring the Brain for Relief

Chronic pain may feel like a life sentence, but with the right tools, it can become a healing journey. By blending the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine with modern neuroscience and compassionate, patient-centered care, the brain can be rewired—and life can be reclaimed.

If you're struggling with chronic pain and are ready to explore acupuncture, herbal medicine, or integrative pain management strategies, contact us today to schedule a personalized consultation.

Patient Testimonial

"I have been in pain management since 2001 and I've been getting acupuncture for the same amount of time. There's good pain management and there's bad pain management, I had a good pain management for 18 years and then they retired. ​ I had to get a new pain management and unfortunately I got a bad pain management, they have been taking advantage of the insurance company, keeping the pharmaceuticals happy, and keeping their six-figure income coming in, that's all they care about and the sad part is there's at least 90% of pain management like that in the United States. They do not care about me, my body, or my health, they try to keep you on a thin Red line, to where they say they're giving you an epidural shot and they're not! The chronic pains is back within two to three weeks and they double your pain meds by giving you Percocet and morphine! This is where they're manipulating your body by trying to make up for the shots wear off in 2 to 3 weeks then you're back in chronic pain again and the circle goes around and around and around! For 2 years my body has been ran down into such a bad hole that I'm now on a CPAP machine, this because of all the medications they given me! All five medicines they have me will make you drowsy or dizzy and you should not operate in a mechanical device! Also my testosterone has been run down to where I have to give myself an injection every week because of these medicines have robbed my testosterone level! I went over it with with that pain management doctor and I said to him, look I've had pain management for 17 years before I came to see you. Every epidural shot has lasted me 12 to 14 months where I had no chronic pain at all in my body and they have me on a 50 mg tramadol! What is going on here you have given me 12 shots in my both sides of my neck, and my lower back, all that was done last year alone?? You have double my pain medicines and now got me on Percocat and morphene and took away the 50 mg tramadol which is basically a high potency ibupropion aspirin! And I'm still in chronic pain, I can't sleep at night the pain comes down into my right arm and throbs all night long what is going on here??? I said to that pain management doctor maybe I need to go see a specialist he said we are the specialist, (LOL 🙃) In order to change you have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired I am sick and tired of that pain management the buck stops here no more!!! I have not been in acupuncture for 3 years, so now I have gone back to acupuncture and after four visits one each week for the last month all the chronic pain has stopped!!!!! Also I have had the "cupping technique" that has detoxed in the proper way by this acupuncturist, and by the way there are good and bad acupuncturist! I went through three different acupuncturists before I found Dr Joe, at true acupuncture and wellness center! Dr Joe is incredible, after the first visit and examining where my body was, the pain that I was in and what I was describing to him he immediately laid out a strategy plan on how to get me turned around and back in a good direction! When I left after the first visit, I felt so much better I could tell something that changed and that was just one visit! I had no chronic pain for about a day and a half and then it started creeping back in, after the second visit I didn't have any chronic pain for about two and a half days! After the third visit I didn't have any chronic pain for four days and it started to creep back in after the fourth visit I was out of chronic pain for 6 days! That was one treatment each week for a month, now we're going to break it down to every two weeks for about a month, and then hopefully I can just start coming once a month! That's the goal and I'm feeling a whole lot better. I highly recommend "True Acupuncture and Wellness & Center with Dr Joe! God bless." -Michael T.

#RewirePainReliefNaturally

References

Ahn, A. C., Park, M., Shaw, J. R., McManus, C. A., Kaptchuk, T. J., & Langevin, H. M. (2008). Electrical impedance of acupuncture meridians: The relevance of subcutaneous collagenous bands. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 8, 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-8-18

Asher, G. N., Jonas, D. E., Coeytaux, R. R., Reilly, A. C., Loh, A., & Gaylord, S. (2010). Auriculotherapy for pain management: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(10), 1097–1108.

Miserandino, C. (n.d.). The Spoon Theory. But You Don’t Look Sick. Retrieved from https://butyoudontlooksick.com

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2022). Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need to Know. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/traditional-chinese-medicine-what-you-need-to-know

Vanderah, T. W., Suenaga, N. M., Ossipov, M. H., Malan, T. P., Lai, J., & Porreca, F. (2001). Spinal cord neuroplasticity contributes to the development of morphine tolerance and chronic pain. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 933, 119–134.

Vickers, A. J., Vertosick, E. A., Lewith, G., MacPherson, H., Foster, N. E., Sherman, K. J., ... & Linde, K. (2018). Acupuncture for chronic pain: Update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain, 19(5), 455–474.

Wager, T. D., Rilling, J. K., Smith, E. E., Sokolik, A., Casey, K. L., Davidson, R. J., ... & Cohen, J. D. (2004). Placebo-induced changes in FMRI in the anticipation and experience of pain. Science, 303(5661), 1162–1167.

Yin, C. S., Park, H. J., Choi, C. B., Lee, S. D., & Koh, H. G. (2017). A study of the anatomical structure of acupuncture meridians: A systematic review. Acupuncture in Medicine, 35(6), 401–408. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2016-011347

Zhou, W., & Benharash, P. (2014). Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture based on the principle of meridians. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, 7(4), 190–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2013.07.004

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About Dr. Joe Phiakhamta, DAOM

Dr. Joe is a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine based at True Acupuncture and Wellness in Franklin, Tennessee. He specializes in chronic pain, allergies, tick-borne illnesses, immune system imbalances, and gut health issues. Dr. Joe integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine, SAAT acupuncture, and herbal medicine to provide personalized care that restores balance, enhances well-being, and offers lasting relief from complex and often misunderstood conditions.

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