Chronic Pain and the Psychological Trauma Link
Often people think of their body being separate to their mind and their emotions. But everything is connected. And when begin to look at ourselves as a whole it become easier to see how chronic pain and psychological trauma may be linked.Traumatic experiences leave their mark on the mind and the body. Experiencing trauma, whether it’s one time, or repeatedly, changes how the brain reacts to stress.
What Types Of Trauma Can Cause Issues
There are hundreds of types and way we can suffer trauma. And since each of us in unique what will cause trauma to one may not to another. And each person will have a different experience and response to any trauma experience. Below are a few common traumatic experiences (but not all) :
Loss and Death (the loss of a loved one, divorce, a job or something that created a loss or change of something you once had)
Physical Trauma – Examples such as; physical abuse, car accident
Mental Traumas – Emotional Abuse, as a child or adult. Such as abusive relationships with anyone. Witness to a traumatic experience; car accidents, abuse, seeing a loved one die
The above are just a few examples of what may cause or contribute to trauma.
What Happens When We Experience Trauma the Potential Physical Links to Pain
Our bodies produce hormones that help deal with temporary stress. The overproduction of these hormones can keep the body in a state of hypervigilance. These can result in aches and pains throughout the body.
Some, but not all pain can include:
- Muscle pain
- Digestive pain and issues
- Chronic headaches
- PMS in women
- Joint pain (such as possible fibromyalgia)
Studies that link chronic pain and trauma indicate that it’s possible that our bodies can react to both single and repeated incidents. Such pain may be experienced long after the acuity or safety issues are gone. And the pain and issues may show up in your life years after the trauma. And it is possible they were subtle and increase when pass issues are not address and measure to help you move through such issues. With this said an example is a person may suffer with severe aches and joint pains that may be a connection to past trauma.
Childhood Trauma and Chronic Pain Connection
The ACE, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, study was a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Keiser Permanente hospital to determine whether abuse, neglect, and loss during childhood could indicate risk factors for mental and physical illness in adulthood.
The study identified categories of abuse, neglect, and loss and determined that the higher the number of traumatic experiences, the higher the likelihood of illness down the line. Data revealed an alarmingly high correlation between childhood trauma and a host of diseases, addictions, and illnesses including chronic pain.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Pain
When most people hear the words chronic pain and psychological trauma often veterans are first to mind. They associate veterans and term post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD. But military personnel are not the only ones who experience this disorder. Sadly there are millions of people of all ages, backgrounds and experiences who suffer with PTSD from a range of causes.
What Is PTSD
There is no simple answer to the complexities of post traumatic stress disorder. However, for the sake of this article in its simplest PTSD occurs in people who have difficulty recovering from a traumatic, terrifying, or life-threatening event.
It can affect people in many ways and some of which include: nightmares, intrusive thoughts or flashbacks (memories), isolating behaviors, depression, insomnia, anxiety and much more. Chronic pain is often associated with PTSD which may result from resulting from tension, overproduction of stress hormones, and other factors.
Your Pain My be Originating in Your Head
Over 50 million people per year live with chronic pain. Most of seek relief from their Dr. medical provider who is focused on their bodies. As a matter of fact, being told a pain is all in your head is considered an insult, but it’s possibly true. More and more physicians are looking beyond the possible physical triggers for pain and including the psychological origins too.
Concluding Chronic Pain and Psychological Trauma
If you have experienced trauma, even if it was long ago, you may be reacting physically to something psychological. Now that you know psychological trauma may be a contributing factor with your chronic pain, you are likely wondering what can you do.
Acknowledging past trauma is a possibility is part of the journey to healing. Self care is crucial, and one way to start is to practise a little meditation and yoga each day.