PRT FOR ANXIETY & FEAR IN CHRONIC PAIN

Overcome Fear, Reclaim Your Life

Experience Brain-Focused Pain Relief with Dr. Meenu Vaid, MD

Specialized Pain Reprocessing Therapy addressing fear-pain cycles through cognitive reframing, somatic tracking, and evidence-based anxiety reduction techniques for sustainable chronic pain management.

  • Anxiety Reduction Techniques
  • Break the Fear-Pain Cycle
  • Increased Movement Confidence
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Our Services
PRT

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) for anxiety and fear in chronic pain is an evidence-based treatment that addresses the fear-pain cycle by retraining the brain’s response to pain signals and reducing emotional amplification of pain. This neuroscience-based approach helps break the self-perpetuating loop where pain triggers anxiety, which intensifies pain perception.

Key Facts:

  • Treatment Type: Neuroscience-based therapy targeting fear-pain cycles
  • Duration: 8-12 weekly sessions
  • Focus: Reducing anxiety, fear avoidance, and pain catastrophizing
  • Provider: Dr. Meenu Vaid, MD (Board-Certified, PRT-Certified)
  • Location: Savera Wellness, Morgan Hill, California
  • Format: In-person and telehealth available

Understanding the Fear-Pain Cycle

How Anxiety Amplifies Chronic Pain

Chronic pain and anxiety are deeply interconnected. The brain’s fear response amplifies pain signals through a process called central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes hypersensitive to pain. This creates a vicious cycle:

The Fear-Pain Cycle:

  1. Pain Experience – Physical pain sensation occurs
  2. Fear Response – Brain interprets pain as danger, triggering anxiety
  3. Pain Amplification – Fear and stress increase pain perception
  4. Avoidance Behavior – Activities avoided due to fear of pain
  5. Increased Sensitivity – Nervous system becomes more reactive
  6. Chronic Pain Persistence – Pain becomes self-sustaining

Common Fear-Based Responses:

  • Fear of movement (kinesiophobia)
  • Catastrophic thinking about pain (“This will never get better”)
  • Hypervigilance to body sensations
  • Activity avoidance and social withdrawal
  • Anticipatory anxiety about pain flare-ups

How PRT Breaks the Fear-Pain Cycle

Core PRT Components

1. Pain Neuroscience Education Understanding that chronic pain is often generated by the brain’s overprotective response rather than tissue damage. This education reduces fear by reframing pain as a false alarm rather than a danger signal.

2. Somatic Tracking Learning to observe pain sensations with curiosity rather than fear. Clients practice noticing pain without catastrophizing, developing a calm, neutral relationship with body sensations.

3. Cognitive Restructuring Challenging and replacing fear-based thoughts with evidence-based thinking. Examples:

  • Fear thought: “This pain means something is seriously wrong”
  • Reframed thought: “This is my nervous system being overprotective”

4. Graded Exposure Therapy Systematically confronting feared movements and activities to build evidence that they are safe. This reduces avoidance behavior and increases functional capacity.

5. Emotional Processing Addressing underlying stress, trauma, and emotional factors that contribute to pain amplification. Techniques include mindfulness, relaxation training, and stress management.

PRT Treatment Program at Savera

Phase 1: Assessment and Education (Sessions 1-2)

  • Comprehensive pain history and fear assessment
  • Pain catastrophizing scale evaluation
  • Education on fear-pain cycle mechanisms
  • Goal setting for treatment

Phase 2: Skill Building (Sessions 3-6)

  • Somatic tracking practice – Body scan meditations, pain observation exercises
  • Cognitive reframing – Identifying catastrophic thoughts, developing balanced thinking
  • Stress management – Breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness meditation

Phase 3: Exposure and Application (Sessions 7-10)

  • Fear hierarchy creation – Ranking avoided activities from least to most feared
  • Graded exposure – Systematic confrontation of feared movements
  • Real-world practice – Applying techniques to daily activities
  • Building confidence – Increasing movement and social participation

Phase 4: Maintenance (Sessions 11-12+)

  • Relapse prevention strategies
  • Long-term self-management tools
  • Monthly check-ins and booster sessions as needed

Who Benefits from This Treatment?

Ideal Candidates:

  • Individuals with chronic pain experiencing significant anxiety or fear
  • Those avoiding activities due to fear of pain
  • People with catastrophic thinking about pain
  • Individuals with kinesiophobia (fear of movement)
  • Those seeking non-medication approaches
  • People experiencing pain-related hypervigilance

Best Outcomes When:

  • Willing to challenge fear-based beliefs
  • Open to gradual exposure to feared activities
  • Able to practice techniques between sessions
  • Committed to 8-12 weekly sessions
  • Motivated for active participation in healing

Common Symptoms of COVID-19

Meenu Vaid’s Expertise:

  • Board-Certified Physician (Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease, Addiction Medicine)
  • Advanced PRT training and certification
  • ICF-Certified Wellness Coach
  • Holistic approach addressing physical and psychological factors

Program Advantages:

  • Evidence-based, neuroscience-backed treatment
  • Personalized therapy tailored to individual fear patterns
  • Comprehensive approach integrating mindfulness, CBT, and lifestyle optimization
  • Flexible in-person and telehealth options
  • Ongoing support and follow-up care

Contact Savera today to schedule a consultation and discover how PRT can help you achieve lasting pain relief and emotional well-being.

FAQ

While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has traditionally been considered the gold standard for chronic pain, PRT is emerging as a powerful alternative. PRT combines psychological techniques with neuroplasticity-based interventions, making it a highly effective approach for treating chronic pain at its root cause.

Managing anxiety and chronic pain requires a combined approach. PRT helps by breaking the fear-pain cycle, while mindfulness, cognitive reframing, and relaxation techniques can further reduce pain-induced anxiety. Addressing both the mental and physical aspects of pain is key to long-term relief.

PRT typically involves:

  1. Pain education – Understanding how the brain processes pain.
  2. Somatic tracking – Observing pain with curiosity rather than fear.
  3. Cognitive reframing – Changing negative beliefs about pain.
  4. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques – Reducing stress responses.
  5. Gradual re-engagement in activities – Building confidence in movement without fear of pain.

Chronic pain can rewire the brain to become hypersensitive to pain signals. Over time, this leads to an overactive pain response even when there is no actual injury or threat. PRT works to reverse these changes by teaching the brain to interpret pain signals accurately and reducing unnecessary pain amplification.

Chronic pain management requires a combination of mindset shifts, pain education, and behavioral techniques. PRT empowers individuals to take control of their pain by changing how their brain perceives it. With the right approach, chronic pain doesn’t have to define or control one’s life.

One of the most significant breakthroughs in chronic pain treatment is the understanding that pain is largely processed in the brain. Treatments like PRT, which focus on retraining the brain’s response to pain, are revolutionizing the way chronic pain is treated and providing hope for long-term recovery.

The results of PRT can vary from person to person. Some patients report noticeable pain relief within a few weeks, while others may require consistent practice over several months to achieve lasting improvements. The key is consistency and commitment to the therapy techniques.

Absolutely. PRT leverages the brain’s neuroplasticity to retrain its response to pain signals. By reframing negative pain perceptions, practicing somatic tracking, and reducing fear-based responses, patients can rewire their brain to minimize or eliminate chronic pain.

Several natural alternatives to gabapentin may help with nerve pain, anxiety, and chronic pain management. While not direct replacements, these options support nerve health and reduce pain through anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Natural substitutes can help support nerve health and pain relief, but they may not provide the same immediate effects as gabapentin. Always consult with a healthcare provider before switching treatments, especially for conditions like neuropathy or chronic nerve pain.:

  1. Magnesium – Helps regulate nerve function and reduce neuropathic pain. Magnesium glycinate and magnesium L-threonate are particularly effective for nerve health.
  2. Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) – A powerful antioxidant that supports nerve repair and has been shown to reduce symptoms of neuropathy.
  3. Turmeric (Curcumin) – Contains anti-inflammatory properties that may help with nerve pain and overall inflammation reduction.
  4. Acetyl-L-Carnitine – Supports nerve regeneration and may help with nerve-related pain and cognitive function.
  5. CBD (Cannabidiol) – Derived from hemp, CBD interacts with the nervous system and has shown promise in reducing nerve pain and inflammation.
  6. B Vitamins (Especially B1, B6, B12) – Essential for nerve function and can help prevent nerve damage.
  7. Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Found in fish oil and flaxseeds, omega-3s reduce inflammation and support nerve regeneration.

Recovery is a journey, and knowledge is power. Explore our Blog  & Articles for expert advice, success stories, and tips to support your wellness journey.