How to Manage Chronic Pain- w/ Author Alan Gordon LCSW

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Feb 24, 2026

Alan Gordon LCSW, founder of the Pain Psychology Institute and developer of Pain Reprocessing Therapy, shares his journey with chronic pain and the science of neuroplastic pain. He explains how the brain can misread safe body signals, how stress and attention amplify pain, and outlines approaches like somatic tracking and reprocessing to retrain the brain.

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ANECDOTE

Alan's Confusing MRI Journey

Alan Gordon developed chronic back pain, got MRIs, and received three conflicting orthopedic diagnoses.
He tried many treatments without relief, which led him to study pain neuroscience and realize structural findings often don't explain pain.

INSIGHT

Brain Processes Pain The Same Way Regardless Of Source

Pain is real whether generated by tissue damage or by the brain; both activate the same brain pain centers.
Gordon references studies showing induced pain by hypnosis lights up identical brain regions as physical stimuli.

ANECDOTE

Nail Through The Boot Case Shows Perception Creates Pain

A UK construction worker stepped on a nail through his boot and felt agonizing pain though the nail missed his foot.
Seeing the nail triggered fight-or-flight and the brain misinterpreted safe signals as dangerous, producing severe pain.

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Alan Gordon is the author of the Way Out, he developed and tested Pain Reprocessing Therapy as an evidence based treatment for Chronic Pain

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In this engaging conversation, Alan and I delve into the concept of neuroplastic pain, exploring how the brain can misinterpret safe signals from the body as dangerous, leading to chronic pain. One speaker shares their personal journey with chronic pain, highlighting the confusion and frustration that arises from conflicting medical opinions and the realization that many people with structural issues do not experience pain. We talk about pain as a real experience, regardless of its origin, and discuss the importance of understanding the brain's role in pain perception. The conversation also touches on the psychological aspects of pain, including how stress and anxiety can amplify pain sensations, and the significance of addressing these mental factors in pain management.

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

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