September is Pain Awareness Month, and it brings with it an opportunity to challenge a common misconception: that pain always indicates physical damage in the body. But what happens when an injury has healed, or when there is no injury at all, yet the pain lingers? According to Dr. Anderson, a neurologist and Chief Medical Officer at Lin Health, a virtual healthcare company based in Denver, CO, sometimes the pain itself becomes the disease.
“Pain is always real, but it doesn't always mean there is ongoing damage in the body,” says Dr. Anderson. “Sometimes, the brain and nervous system can become stuck in a persistent pain-alarm loop, continuing to send danger signals long after an injury has healed, or when there is no injury at all.” This phenomenon is known as central sensitization, a condition where the brain and nervous system amplify pain signals. It can play a significant role in persistent nociplastic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, chronic migraine, sciatica, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Dr. Anderson uses an analogy to explain: “Think of it like a fire alarm that has become too sensitive. That high-pitched shriek is definitely real, but it may be going off when there isn't actually a fire.” The alarm is real, but the threat may be absent. This understanding is crucial for those suffering from chronic pain, as it shifts the focus from treating a physical injury to retraining the nervous system.
The good news, Dr. Anderson says, is that evidence-based approaches can help change the way the brain and nervous system process pain. “The pain is very real, and the goal is to help the nervous system become less reactive to signals that it has learned to interpret as dangerous.” This brain-first approach addresses the nervous system processes that contribute to persistent pain. At Lin Health, this method is delivered through a medication-free virtual program that combines behavioral therapy, one-on-one coaching, and structured daily modules, all accessed through an interactive app. The program is designed to help patients understand their pain and develop strategies to reduce its intensity.
For Pain Awareness Month, Dr. Anderson emphasizes that understanding central sensitization can be an important first step for people living with persistent pain. The pain is always real, but understanding why it persists may open the door to more effective treatment approaches. This perspective is not just theoretical; it is backed by clinical guidelines that recommend such interventions, yet they are rarely implemented effectively in traditional healthcare systems due to access limitations, clinician shortages, and fragmented care pathways.
Lin Health, founded in 2021, partners with leading health systems such as Mayo Clinic and WellSpan Health to deliver multidisciplinary care that addresses the biological, behavioral, and social drivers of chronic conditions. The Lin Health model integrates physician evaluation, structured behavioral pain recovery, personalized coaching, and continuous patient engagement. By targeting the nervous system, this approach is highly effective, but it is often inaccessible to patients and clinicians because it is very high-touch and not yet part of standard medical training. Lin Health bridges that gap, offering scalable, affordable care that is broadly covered by insurance and designed to produce measurable outcomes.
As Pain Awareness Month unfolds, Dr. Anderson hopes that more people will recognize that chronic pain is not just a physical sensation but a complex neurological process. By understanding central sensitization, patients can explore new avenues for relief and potentially break the cycle of persistent pain. The message is clear: pain is real, but it does not have to be permanent.
