National Survey Reveals 40% of Medical Patients Suffer from Neuroplastic Conditions, Conference to Address Treatment Breakthroughs

The Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms will host its national conference September 28-30 in Boulder, Colorado, as new research reveals nearly half of US adults experience pain or illness that remains unexplained or unresponsive to conventional treatments. According to a first-of-its-kind national survey to be presented at the conference, approximately 40% of people who visit doctors for symptoms likely suffer from neuroplastic conditions caused by stress-induced changes in brain pathways rather than structural injury or disease.

Neuroplastic symptoms encompass a wide range of conditions including fibromyalgia, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic back pain, and many cases of long COVID. Dr. David Clarke, president of the ATNS, emphasizes that this survey addresses critical questions affecting a significant portion of the population seeking medical care. The findings suggest that stress, trauma, and adversity—often originating in childhood—create learned neural patterns that manifest as physical symptoms.

The conference will feature more than 40 leading experts discussing Neuroplastic Recovery Therapy, an evidence-based biopsychosocial approach that focuses on uncovering stress, trauma, and unrecognized emotions. This method enables patients to gain control over their symptoms without relying on drugs, surgery, or expensive treatments. Dr. Clarke notes that this therapy is supported by gold-standard scientific research from randomized trials published in top medical journals including the American Medical Association Psychiatry journal.

The implications of these findings are substantial for healthcare systems and patients alike. Traditional medical approaches often fail to address the root causes of neuroplastic symptoms, leading to unnecessary procedures, medication dependence, and escalating healthcare costs. The ATNS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, aims to transform pain treatment by promoting awareness and implementation of neuroplastic approaches that are safer, more affordable, and more effective than conventional methods.

This conference represents a significant step toward addressing what the organization describes as a chronic pain epidemic. By bringing together medical professionals, researchers, and mental health experts, the event seeks to advance understanding and treatment of stress-related, brain-generated medical conditions that affect millions of Americans. The gathering at the Boulder Jewish Community Center will provide a platform for sharing the latest advances in diagnosing and treating these complex conditions that have long puzzled both patients and healthcare providers.