The Neuromatrix of pain overlaps with the functional neuroanatomy of sleep

September 17, 2015 by Sian Smale

The previous blog explored the research showing how the relationship between pain and sleep is bidirectional. What explains this two-way relationship? Many of the articles suggested it is due to the multiple functions of neurotransmitters. Curious to know more about the overlap in functional areas of the brain involved in sleep and pain, I decided to compare the regions of the brain involved in wake and sleep and the neuromatrix.

The bidirectional relationship between sleep disorders and pain conditions

September 15, 2015 by Sian Smale

The primary problem I treat as a Physiotherapist is pain. Despite the link between pain and sleep being extensively studied over the past few decades, I know little about what the research has found. What I've come to understand is that the bidirectional relationship between sleep and medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease also extends to pain disorders. I'm curious about how many people suffer from chronic pain conditions and concurrent sleep disorders? This blog looks more closely at what we currently know from research about sleep and pain.

Are we underestimating the importance of sleep?

September 04, 2015 by Sian Smale

Sleep is a function of the brain and a behaviour vital to the survival of all mammals. There is no single region of the brain, single neurotransmitter, or single neural pathway that is dedicated to sleep and wakefulness. Recently I completed an online course through University of Michigan on Sleep: Neurobiology, Medicine and Society. It was such a well run course hosted through Coursera. I learnt so much about the importance of sleep, how sleep works and it made me think one thing over and over again “How closely does sleep related to chronic pain disorders?”