Chronic pain is sometimes considered a mysterious ailment, and roughly eight million Canadians live with it each day. Treatments for chronic pain range from various painkillers to physical therapy and, in some cases, a psychological approach.
Since both physical and psychological aspects can drive chronic pain, medical professionals have now found that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may address the condition’s mind and body connection.
Chronic pain and psychological stress
Chronic pain and stress often go hand-in-hand, regardless of what is driving the pain. For example, chronic pain derived from a physical ailment can cause the brain to change how it perceives pain. Psychological stress can also heighten a person’s perception of pain.
This is known as the pain-stress cycle. In this cycle, a person experiences chronic pain over a period of time, gets used to waking up with the ailment, and then feels added stress in their daily life. Because the brain interprets both physical and psychological stress in the same way, researchers believe that there is a connection between chronic pain and chronic stress.
When the brain responds to chronic pain with a stress response, it also makes matters worse by causing the muscles to tense, affecting sleep, and increasing a person’s sensitivity to pain. The psychological fear or anticipation of pain also heightens symptoms of chronic pain by driving physical symptoms, creating a cycle of emotional and physical exhaustion.
