Dr. Steven Richeimer Confirms Heartaches Are a Real Pain

(onsugar.com)

Queue the 70s hit by Nazareth – Love Hurts

“Love hurts, love scars, love wounds and marks
Any heart not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain”

Their lyrics are now scientifically proven to be true. The pain experienced as a result of a breakup is felt on a physical level and not just emotional.

Dr. Steven Richeimer, USC Pain Center, goes as far as saying that MRI images show the connection between heart and mind.  It captures a similar brain activity when seeing a photo of an ex as it is when holding a hot cup of coffee.

“When you effect negative emotions, you will activate a lot of the same nervous system parts and systems and chemistry that are involved in bodily pain,” said Dr. Richeimer.

Taking an aspirin will not heal a broken heart and there is no way to prevent it from happening, but “experts say you can learn to manage it with proven stress-reduction techniques” or take anti-depressants, as the same neural pathways are affected.

“Exercise is good for the physical health, but they should also be doing things to manage their emotional health,” said Dr. Richeimer.

According to Vitals.com, Dr. Steven Richeimer is a board-certified anesthesiologist and psychiatrist.  He completed his MD at University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine in 1982.

See more info about Dr. Steven Richeimer