Do You Have Neuroplastic Symptoms?

Chronic pain, fatigue, dizziness, or other persistent symptoms can be frustrating and confusing—especially when medical tests come back normal. If you’ve been told “everything looks fine” but you still feel unwell, you might be experiencing neuroplastic symptoms.

But what does that mean? And how can you tell?

What Are Neuroplastic Symptoms?

Neuroplastic symptoms are real physical sensations generated by the brain and nervous system—not by structural damage or disease. They arise when the brain misinterprets signals from the body, often due to stress, trauma, or emotional factors. This doesn’t mean the symptoms are “all in your head”—they’re very real, but they stem from how the brain processes information, not from tissue injury.

Common neuroplastic symptoms include:

Chronic back or neck pain
Migraines and tension headaches
Fibromyalgia
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Dizziness or vertigo
Tinnitus
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Burning, tingling, or numbness without a clear cause
Sensitivities to light, sound, or smells

Ruling Out Serious Pathologies

Before considering a neuroplastic diagnosis, it’s essential to rule out serious medical conditions. Physiotherapists are trained to identify “red flags” that may indicate serious or systemic pathology requiring urgent referral. Physiotherapists are trained to do this and do it with every patient. If we are in doubt, we will need to engage with your doctor to get further tests.

Red Flags to Watch For:

Unexplained weight loss
Night sweats or fever
History of cancer
Significant trauma or recent injury
Neurological symptoms (e.g., loss of bladder/bowel control, saddle anesthesia)
Persistent symptoms that worsen despite treatment

If any of these are present, further medical investigation is necessary. Only once these are ruled out can we begin to explore neuroplastic causes.

Ruling out Structural Conditions

As physiotherapists, we are used to dealing with structural pain problems. These are conditions where the pain is secondary to the underlying state of the tissues. eg

muscle tears
ligament sprains from a trauma
joint sprains from a trauma
bone fracture consolidation (in the stages of healing after the bone has united and the medical team are happy for the physio team to begin progressive loading)
Some tendonopathies – mostly acute overload reactive tendonopathies
Tenosynovitis
Nerve entrapments

Symptoms associated with structural problems occur secondary to the state of the tissues and typically recover well. Physiotherapy in this instance is directed towards optimising the healing process restoring range of motion, increasing muscle strength and minimising the likelihood of neuroplastic symptoms.

It is becoming evident that neuroplastic symptoms can co-exist with structural tissue based conditions, making the diagnostic process a little more tricky.

All doctors and physios (and chiropractors, Osteopaths) should be familiar with red flag disorders and tissue damage conditions. Most will not be familiar with neuroplastic conditions, although awareness is growing.

Ruling In Neuroplastic Symptoms: The FIT Criteria

Dr. Howard Schubiner developed the F.I.T. Criteria to help identify neuroplastic symptoms. We have included it here to help you decide if your symptoms are neuroplastic.

Please look at these statements and give yourself a score of 1 for each question that applies to your symptoms, even if for only some of the time. Then count how many you agree with to give yourself a score out of 17. The higher the score, the more likely the symptoms are neuroplastic in nature.

F- Functional

The symptoms began without an injury or physical cause OR have persisted after an injury has healed (3-6 mo)
The symptoms are in a symmetric distribution pattern (eg both shoulders, both knees)
The symptoms occur on one whole side of the body or occur on half of the face, head, or torso
The symptoms have spread over time to different parts of the body
The symptoms radiate to the opposite side of the body or down a whole leg or arm
The symptoms can occur in many different body parts at the same time
The symptoms that have a quality of tingling, electric, burning, numb, hot, or cold

I- Inconsistent

The symptoms are more or less intense depending on the time of day or night
The symptoms occur after, but not during, an activity or exercise
The symptoms occur when I think about them or when someone asks about them
The symptoms occur when my stress increases or I think about stressful situations
The symptoms are reduced or non-existent when I’m engaged and joyful or during distracting activities, such as when on holiday
The symptoms are reduced or non-existent after some kind of therapy, such as massage, chiropractic, Reiki, acupuncture, an herbal or vitamin supplement

T-Triggered

The symptoms began during a time of significant stress or change in my life (divorce, job change, move, financial loss, etc)
The symptoms are triggered by things that are not related to the actual symptom, such as foods, smells, sounds, light, computer screens, menstrual cycle, changes in the weather, etc
The symptoms are triggered by the anticipation of stress, such as prior to school, work, a doctor’s visit, a medical test, a visit to a relative, or a social gathering; or during those activities
The symptoms that are triggered by simply imagining engaging in the triggering activity

What do I do if I think I have Neuroplastic Symptoms?

f your symptoms are neuroplastic, this is actually encouraging news. It means your body tissues are essentially healthy. There’s no damage, no disease—just a nervous system that’s become overprotective.

Your brain has learned to send alarm signals—felt as pain, fatigue, dizziness, or other symptoms—even when there’s no physical threat. This is the result of a sensitized nervous system, often shaped by stress, past experiences, or emotional suppression.

The good news? This can change.

How We Help You Heal

Recovery from neuroplastic symptoms doesn’t rely on fixing tissues—it’s about retraining the brain and restoring trust in your body. Our goal is to help you feel safe, confident, and reconnected with the life you truly want to live.

Treatment may include:

Nervous system calming practices
(e.g., breathwork, mindfulness, grounding techniques)
Body awareness and somatic experiencing
(learning to feel and interpret body sensations without fear)
Self-reflective practices
(exploring emotional patterns, beliefs, and stress responses)
Graded exposure to movement and emotion
(gently reintroducing activities or feelings that have felt threatening)

We often work as part of a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists and counsellors, and other allied health professionals, to ensure you receive holistic, person-centred care.

You Deserve to Feel Better

Healing is possible. Your symptoms are not a life sentence—they’re a signal that your nervous system needs support, not punishment. With the right tools and compassionate guidance, you can move toward recovery, resilience, and a life that feels like yours again.

If this resonates with you, we’re here to help. Reach out to book a discovery call to see if this approach is for you.