The PPDA has a new name/brand

[JanAtheCPA]

Announced by the PPDA this week:

To better serve hundreds of millions of people worldwide with neuroplastic pain or illness, we are thrilled to announce that the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association has a new name and brand:

We’re replacing the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA) with the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS).

New Term: Symptomatic

We’re introducing “Symptomatic” as our brand’s key term—making our core messaging easy to comprehend and find on the internet.

The new logo, featuring a brain and a lightbulb, represents the “aha” moment when a patient’s new knowledge becomes a source of healing.

Why the Shift?

"Neuro" (nerve and brain) and "plastic" (capacity for change) Symptoms (NS) better emphasize the brain’s capacity to adapt and heal, communicating hope to those suffering from the beginning of their journey.

Our official name, the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms, is a bit technical for the public. That’s why we are introducing Symptomatic as the brand name for our website, social media, and other public channels.

What Else to Expect:
New Membership Benefits:

To continue educating the public and practitioners, we plan to add a new self-treatment course, a podcast, and more in 2025!

Not Already a Member?

There’s never been a better time to become a member (still using the link from our old site) to learn the latest healing concepts and support our advocacy for neuroplastic symptoms to receive the same quality of care as any other form of illness.

Our Mission Remains the Same:

Share the latest scientific evidence about successful diagnosis and treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. Millions are affected, but by sharing the power of Pain Relief Psychology, we empower patients and practitioners with knowledge that becomes healing.

Become a Member
Visit us at www.Symptomatic.me to explore these new changes.

Thank you for your support in being part of this change.

Sincerely,

Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms

If you have any questions, please contact info@symptomatic.me


David Clarke, MD
Psychophysiologic Disorders Association · 1414 SW 3rd Ave · Suite 2901 · Portland, OR 97201 · USA

 

[Duggit]

The change to “Neuroplastic Symptoms” accords with (and I think might be inspired by) terminology used by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). That is an organization of more than 7,000 pain researchers and clinicians around the world. Perhaps the change will give what used to be called the PPDA more visibility and credibility among IASP folks.

For decades the IASP recognized only two major categories of pain, namely, nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. It defined nociceptive pain as "Pain that arises from actual or threatened damage to non-neural tissue and is due to the activation of nociceptors.” It defined neuropathic pain as "Pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system.” In 2016, the IASP introduced a third major category of pain called Neuroplastic Pain. It defines this as "Pain that arises from altered nociception despite no clear evidence of actual or threatened tissue damage causing the activation of peripheral nociceptors or evidence for disease or lesion of the somatosensory system causing the pain.” (I added the emphasis.) So finally in 2016, the IASP recognized what Sarno called TMS as legitimate pain rather than merely something that’s “all in your head."

The PPDA has long recognized that psychophysiologic disorders are not limited to pain, and I suppose that is why it chose the term Neuroplastic Symptoms.

 

[TG957]

So finally in 2016, the IASP recognized what Sarno called TMS as legitimate pain rather than merely something that’s “all in your head."
The PPDA has long recognized that psychophysiologic disorders are not limited to pain, and I suppose that is why it chose the term Neuroplastic Symptoms.

Exactly, the official medicine finally learned
1. not to have only two extremes, such as "all in your head" or "you are irreparably broken"
2. to acknowledge what was long known as conversion symptoms, such as muscle spasms, swelling, skin changes, dystonia, tremors etc., are neuroplastic.

Change is coming!

 

[JanAtheCPA]

Change is coming!

Indeed. I am also encouraged by the many new connections being made between inflammation and chronic conditions, given the irrefutable fact that stress and inflammation are already known to be strongly connected. I know that my RA was caused by stress, and the experts don't have a better explanation. I feel like it won't be too much longer before the "stress-disease connection" becomes commonly accepted.

"The Stress-Disease Connection" was, in fact, the subtitle of Dr Gabor Mate's seminal and radical 2003 book When the Body Says No.