Pain is complex and often challenging to understand. Over the years, the focus of pain has been on improving brain health to lessen the perception of pain. When we refer to our brain, we often refer to the brain in our heads. Yet novel research is now proving that the brain in our gut, often referred to as the second brain, has a direct impact on the health of the brain in our heads, the first brain. Even more profound is the impact of the microbiome, which some refer to as the third brain, and how the unique profile of microorganisms in our digestive systems can influence how we think, feel, and even operate as humans. This course will review the three brains and how we can optimize each to improve the burden of pain. Focusing on one area without balancing the others can actually limit the ability to respond to medications and other treatments. The psychobiome, which regulates our moods, will also be discussed, as novel research shows that shifting this area may have a profound impact on vitality and perception of negative events. All of this may allow a more thorough treatment of pain by combining approaches to align the three brains via mind work, emotional release, dietary changes, and effective ancient medicine strategies that have been used for over 5000 years. A Three Brain Quiz will be offered and attendees will learn actionable steps to help patients create balance, improve their pain condition, and potentially respond more effectively to pain medications, injectables, or other treatments.
