People can raise pain threshold by altering brain chemistry

Description

Scientists at The University of Manchester have shown for the first time that the numbers of opiate receptors in the brain increases to combat severe pain in arthritis sufferers. 

Chronic pain – pain which lasts for more than six months – is a real problem for many people with approximately 46% of the UK population estimated to suffer from it (comprising 20% of consultations in general practice).   However, some people seem to cope better than others with pain, and knowing more about how these coping mechanisms work might help to develop new ways of treating this distressing symptom.