Is Pain Reprocessing Therapy a Good Alternative to Chronic Pain Surgeries?

It depends on the cause of the chronic pain, but for many types of chronic pain, Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) can be a very good alternative to surgery, especially when the pain is due to neural plastic pain rather than clear structural damage.

When PRT could be a good alternative:

Back pain, neck pain, or joint pain with no clear structural damage on imaging.

Pain that has lasted for months or years despite physical therapy, medications, or other treatments.

Pain that seems to move around, or flare up with stress, emotions, or life changes.

Conditions like fibromyalgia, tension headaches, or chronic pelvic pain.

Doctors have told you there’s nothing wrong, or the structural changes found (like mild disc degeneration) are normal for your age.

When surgery may still be needed:

Severe structural damage (e.g., complete rotator cuff tears, unstable fractures, severe nerve compression causing loss of function, etc.).

Clear mechanical issues that directly correlate with your pain and limit function in ways that conservative care can’t address.

Emergencies, like cauda equina syndrome or rapidly progressing neurological deficits.

Why PRT can help avoid unnecessary surgery:

In many cases of chronic pain, surgery is performed because no other options seemed to work but if the pain is actually due to the brain being stuck in a protective pain cycle, surgery won’t resolve the root cause. PRT helps retrain the brain to perceive safe sensations as safe again, reducing or eliminating the pain.

Bottom line:

If your chronic pain fits the profile of neuroplastic pain, PRT could be a very effective, non-invasive, and lasting alternative to surgery. If the pain is caused by clear structural damage, surgery might still be needed.