Researchers from the University of Sydney have used placebo pain relief to uncover a map-like system in the brainstem that controls pain differently depending on where it's felt in the body. The ...

New research finds the human brain has a built-in pain map that activates in different areas when relieving face, arm or leg pain. But placebo pain relief only works where the brain expects it.

Using powerful 7-Tesla brain imaging, researchers mapped how the brainstem manages pain differently across the body. They discovered that distinct regions activate for facial versus limb pain, showing ...