Neurobiology of psychosomatic pain

Authors

  • Johann Caspar Rüegg

Abstract

Chronic psychosomatic pain in the back and neck region is often stress related but may also result from early traumatic and painful experience stored in the (implicit) memory. It is associated with alterations in the sensitivity of central neurons and in the connectivity of brain structures that are engaged in the transmission and perception of pain. Patients with fibromyalgia suffering from chronic backache may also show varying proportions of comorbid anxiety disorders and depression. In turn such psychosocial characteristics will modulate the perception of pain which, however, may also be affected by cognitive factors such as attention or distraction.

Keywords:
Backache; Migraine; Phantom pain;
„Pain memory“; Neuronal plasticity; Cognitive pain modulation

Author Biography

Johann Caspar Rüegg

Prof. Dr. med. Johann Caspar Rüegg, Ph.D., doktorierte 1955 in Zürich beim Hirnforscher W. R. Hess. Bis zu seiner Emeritierung (1998) leitete er das 2. Physiologische Institut der Universität Heidelberg. Seither freiberuflicher Buchautor (Psychosomatik, Psychotherapie und Gehirn, Stuttgart 2003)

Korrespondenz: Prof. Dr. med. J. C. Rüegg, Haagackerweg 10, 69493 Hirschberg, Deutschland

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Published

2005-10-01

How to Cite

Rüegg, J. C. (2005). Neurobiology of psychosomatic pain. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, (4), 136–142. Retrieved from https://psychotherapie-wissenschaft.info/article/view/347

Issue

No. 4 (2005): Psychotherapie Forum 13/4 (veröffentlicht bei Springer Wien New York)

Section

Special Issue

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