Retrain Brain = Less Pain

From eNewsletter 1/16/2023

DID YOU KNOW that if you are seeking ways to improve your child or teen's lifestyle habits, think about modifying their screen time? Several new studies may give you pause the next time you want to use a screen to placate their behavior.

For preteens, the odds of developing obsessive compulsive disorder over a two-year period increased by 13% for every hour they played video games and by 11% for every hour they watched videos on their mobile devices or computers, according to a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Gaming, entertainment, and social media companies have algorithms and advertisements that exacerbate behavior by continuing to foment content preteens are playing or watching.

A study in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that the frequent use of mobile devices for calming young children (ages 3 to 5) may displace their opportunities for learning emotion-regulation strategies over time. Therefore, the authors encourage parents to use alternate calming approaches.

Another study from JAMA Pediatrics found that in a cohort of children at age 12 years, those with habitual social media checking behaviors showed lower neural sensitivity to social anticipation at age 12 years compared with those with nonhabitual checking behaviors. These were negative changes to the brain’s sensitivity to social rewards and punishments.

Let them play? A third study from JAMA Pediatrics purports that physical activity interventions may be used to reduce depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. It also gives their minds a rest and keeps them from consistently being guided by algorithms and advertisements.

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Steve Minsky MS, HWC

As a Health and Wellness Counselor, Steve analyzes and offer solutions to optimize not only the food you eat, but every aspect of your lifestyle, whether for prevention or healing. More info on Steve's services.

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Prevention

COVID-19 is endemic, meaning it is here to stay. Moreover, we are exposed to many other endemic viruses including influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), norovirus (stomach flu), adenovirus (common cold), monkeypox, and four other coronaviruses (common cold), among others. Support your immune system year-round with our Free Prevent and Fight Viruses 2.0 Protocol here.

Have a happy, healthy day! Steve and Bonnie Minsky

In Today's Issue

• Paid Member Content

• WC Feature: Chronic Pain Update

• Did You Know? Supps: Sea Buckthorn

• Mythbuster: Why Do Infants Kick?

• Brand Buzz: Stretching

• Intelligently Active: Best Sports for Younger Persons

• Mental Minute: Anxiety Supplements

• Wild Card: Pelvic Floor

• eInspire: Aldous Huxley

• Action Plan of the Month: Smart Detox 2-Week

• Free Member Content

• Did You Know?

• Retrain the Brain = Less Pain

• January 20% OFF Sale Items

• Pure Genomics

• Watch - Lactose Intolerance

• Loyalty Program

• Well Connect Member Benefits

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Retrain the Brain = Less Pain

Steve: Psychological therapy that changes an individual's beliefs about pain not only provides lasting chronic pain relief but also alters brain regions related to pain generation, according to new research from JAMA Psychiatry.

In the first randomized controlled test of pain reprocessing therapy (PRT), two thirds of patients with chronic back pain (CBP) who received 4 weeks of PRT were pain free or nearly pain free afterward - and for most patients, relief was maintained for 1 year.

PRT educates patients about the role of the brain in generating chronic pain; helps them reappraise their pain as they engage in movements that they had been afraid to undertake; and helps them address emotions that may exacerbate pain. The researchers say the effects of PRT on pain were mediated by lessening the belief that pain indicates tissue damage. Of note, PRT also reduced spontaneous pain during fMRI as well.

"The idea is that by thinking about the pain as safe rather than threatening, patients can alter the brain networks reinforcing the pain, and neutralize it," the lead author said. Note: the physician and therapists performing the therapy were experts in delivering PRT.