What are Neuroplastic Symptoms?

Chronic pain or illness not explained by disease or injury (or for which treatment is not working as expected) are usually caused by learned neural pathways in the brain. These are called neuroplastic symptoms.

Learn more from the Self-Assessment Questionnaire.

  • I had 23 years of chronic pain. 5 years ago I couldn't walk more than three blocks; now I hike easy 12 miles, do salsa, play pickle ball. I have my life back.

    Jenny F.

  • “These concepts put the joy back into my work.”

    Beth L., MD
    Family Medicine Physician

  • I was trapped in chronic pain. I did MRIs, physical therapy, medications, every foam roller and treatment imaginable. Nothing worked. I came across these resources and live pain-free today.

    Monica S.

  • I am a former semipro cyclist and I used to be partially bedridden on strong painkillers. Today I do 500 mile bike trips without even thinking about my back.

    Alec K.

  • I used to suffer from chronic back pain and it was difficult to get out of bed. Now I run every day and play with my daughter.

    Mary W.

  • I received a diagnosis of Long COVID. I couldn't walk or talk. Now, I can run and dance.

    Camille T.

  • The ATNS is the hub for all mindbody and neuroplastic symptom professionals looking to connect, expand, learn, and hone our trades.

    Michael R.

Pain Science Paradigm Shift

Recovery Stories

Watch as the groundbreaking science of chronic pain (and other symptoms) is explained by scientists who did the research, clinicians who put it into practice, and patients who experienced the life-changing benefits.

Advantages of Membership

As an ATNS Member, you gain access to a growing number of evidence-based resources (live events, courses, and much more) that relieve neuroplastic pain or illness. Your support will also help us educate more people about this life-changing new treatment.

Learn More About Membership
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Our Board of Neuroplastic Experts

Has Been Featured In

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Knowledge Becomes Healing.

Resources

Public
Practitioners

The Future of Pain.

Skeptical?

People with neuroplastic symptoms often can relate to one or more of the following. These can
change with treatment:

  • Excessive Self-Criticism

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Neglecting your needs

  • Reliability, Focusing on Detail

  • Hard Working

  • Perfectionism

  • Unbalanced or toxic relationships

  • Seeking Approval

  • Stressful lifestyle

  • Poor assertiveness

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Traumatic life event(s)

  • Adversity in Childhood

Common Neuroplastic Conditions

Woman holding a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test at face level, showing a positive result with two lines.

Long Covid

Young woman holding her head in distress or headache, with a worried expression, standing against a plain gray background.

Headache or Migraine

Woman with closed eyes holding her neck, appearing to experience pain or discomfort.

Fibromyalgia

A woman appears to be yawning or feeling tired, sitting on a bed with a beige pillow behind her, touching her face with her hand, and her eyes closed.

Chronic Fatigue

Woman holding her stomach in pain, leaning against a wall for support.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Man in gray long-sleeve shirt holding lower back in pain, grimacing, against a light blue background.

Back or Sciatic Pain

A man sitting on a bench with his hands on his head inside a tunnel or tube, appearing distressed or worried.

Vertigo or Dizziness

A person wearing a gray sweater holding their stomach, indicating stomach pain or discomfort.

Pelvic Pain

A man with a bald head holding glasses to his temple with a distressed expression.

Visual Abnormalities

Close-up of a person demonstrating marked flexibility of their thumb.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Man experiencing wrist pain, holding his swollen and red wrist with both hands.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

A woman with dark hair and a somber expression, resting her head on her hand, sitting against a wooden wall.

Chronic Lyme Disease

An elderly man with a bald head is holding his stomach with his left hand and touching his forehead with his right hand, indicating he is experiencing stomach pain or discomfort. He is wearing a brown shirt over a white T-shirt, and the background is a gradient orange.

Functional Neurologic Disorder

Person wearing a white T-shirt and jeans holding their lower abdomen, indicating discomfort or pain in the stomach area, against a yellow background.

Interstitial Cystitis

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Other Conditions

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Neuroplastic Recovery Therapies Research

In patients with back pain for an average of 10 years, pain decreased by 75% after eight one-hour sessions of neuroplastic recovery therapy.

Green and gray doughnut chart showing 77% in the center.

After an average of nine months of long Covid, neuroplastic recovery therapy led to a 77% decrease in pain interfering with activity.

A circular donut chart showing 67% in the center, with orange and dark gray segments.

In a study in Los Angeles of older male veterans with chronic pain, 67% achieved at least 30% pain relief with neuroplastic recovery therapy.

A donut chart showing 64% with blue and gray segments.

In a study at Harvard, of people with chronic back pain, 64% became pain-free after six months of neuroplastic recovery therapy.

Did you know?

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4 out of 10 people seen by physicians suffer from neuroplastic conditions.

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ATNS

The Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to educate the public, patients, and practitioners about how to diagnose and treat neuroplastic pain and illness. Founded and led by volunteer medical and mental health practitioners, researchers and patient advocates, ATNS provides the information and tools needed to recognize and treat neuroplastic conditions; explains and promotes the latest scientific research; advocates for healthcare policies that support access to quality treatment; and empowers people to advance their own healing.