Inside the Mind: How Jordan Sudberg Explains the Brain’s Role in Pain—and How to Retrain It
When we think of pain, we usually picture a physical injury—a twisted ankle, a strained muscle, a slipped disc. But according to renowned pain management specialist Dr. Jordan Sudberg, understanding pain starts not with the body, but with the brain.
“Pain isn’t just something that happens to us—it’s something the brain creates,” says Sudberg. “This realization opens up powerful new ways to treat chronic pain beyond medication or surgery.”
In this blog post, we explore how the brain processes pain, why pain can persist even after an injury heals, and how emerging neuroscience—along with experts like Dr. Jordan Sudberg—is helping patients retrain their minds to reduce or even eliminate chronic pain.
What Is Pain, Really?
Pain is often described as the body’s alarm system. It alerts us to danger, encourages us to rest, and helps us avoid further injury. But here’s the twist: pain isn’t always a direct reflection of tissue damage.
“Pain is a message created by the brain based on perceived threat,” explains Sudberg. “It’s influenced by biology, emotions, environment, and even memory.”
This explains why two people with the same injury may experience very different levels of pain—or why some people continue to feel pain long after their body has physically healed.
Chronic Pain and the Overprotective Brain
When pain lasts longer than three to six months, it becomes chronic. At that point, it’s no longer just a symptom of injury—it’s a condition in and of itself.
“Chronic pain is often the result of the nervous system becoming hypersensitive,” says Jordan Sudberg. “The brain learns to expect pain and keeps sounding the alarm even when there’s no real danger.”
This phenomenon is known as central sensitization. Over time, the brain and spinal cord become so sensitive that even light pressure or mild movement can trigger intense pain. Worse, stress, anxiety, or fear of movement can further amplify these signals.
But there’s good news: because the brain is creating the pain experience, we can train it to respond differently.
Retraining the Brain: A New Frontier in Pain Management
Thanks to neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself—patients suffering from chronic pain aren’t stuck with it forever. Dr. Jordan Sudberg and other forward-thinking pain specialists are now using cognitive and behavioral techniques to help patients literally “rewire” their pain pathways.
Some of the tools used in this brain-based approach include:
1. Graded Motor Imagery & Mirror Therapy
Patients visualize moving the painful area without discomfort or use mirror therapy to “trick” the brain into perceiving healthy movement. These techniques help deactivate pain circuits.
2. Pain Neuroscience Education
“Understanding how pain works is one of the most empowering steps a patient can take,” says Sudberg. Education helps reduce fear, which in turn reduces pain intensity.
3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps patients challenge negative thought patterns, reduce stress, and engage in healthy behaviors that counteract pain. “When the brain feels safe, pain levels often drop,” notes Sudberg.
4. Mindfulness and Meditation
These practices increase awareness and reduce the emotional impact of pain. They also strengthen brain regions involved in pain regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex.
Real-Life Results from a Brain-Based Approach
Dr. Jordan Sudberg has seen firsthand how retraining the brain can dramatically improve lives. In one case, a patient with chronic back pain for over a decade was able to return to full-time work after a combination of movement therapy, mindfulness training, and pain education.
“He didn’t need another injection or surgery,” says Sudberg. “He needed to change how his brain understood his pain.”
While every case is unique, the success stories speak volumes: when patients take an active role in understanding and managing their pain, lasting relief becomes possible.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Pain Management
The shift from purely physical treatments to brain-based approaches marks a major evolution in pain care. And physicians like Jordan Sudberg are leading the charge.
“Pain will always be part of the human experience,” Sudberg concludes. “But suffering doesn’t have to be. When we teach the brain a new story about pain, we can give patients back their lives.”
By blending neuroscience, compassion, and cutting-edge techniques, Dr. Jordan Sudberg offers hope for those who’ve been told to simply “live with it.” The brain may be where pain begins—but it’s also where healing can start.
