Chronic Pain & Emotions | Mind-Body Connection | Dublin
Explore how stress, emotions and the nervous system may influence chronic pain, and how hypnotherapy and complementary approaches can support wellbeing.
Can our emotional wellbeing influence how we experience pain?
Pain is more than a physical sensation. Research increasingly recognises that our experience of pain can be influenced by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors, including stress, emotions, past experiences and the way the nervous system processes pain signals.
This does not mean that pain is imaginary or simply caused by emotions. Pain is real, and its causes and contributing factors can be complex.
What Does the Research Tell Us?
A 2012 study from Northwestern University, published in Nature Neuroscience, explored why some people recover from an episode of back pain while others go on to experience persistent pain.
Researchers followed people experiencing subacute back pain and examined patterns of brain activity over time.
They identified differences in communication between two brain regions, the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, that were associated with an increased likelihood of developing persistent pain.
The researchers reported that these brain connectivity patterns could help predict which participants would experience ongoing pain.
The findings contributed to our understanding of how brain processes involved in motivation, learning and emotional responses may be associated with the transition from acute to chronic pain.
Importantly, the study did not suggest that emotions cause 85% of physical illness or that chronic pain is solely psychological.
The Connection Between Stress, Emotions and Pain
Stress and emotional distress can influence how we experience and respond to physical discomfort.
For some individuals, prolonged stress may contribute to increased muscle tension, disrupted sleep, heightened sensitivity to pain and difficulties coping with ongoing symptoms.
Equally, living with chronic pain can affect emotional wellbeing, relationships, sleep and quality of life.
This relationship can work in both directions, highlighting the importance of considering both physical and psychological wellbeing when supporting people experiencing persistent pain.
Can Hypnotherapy and EFT Help?
Mind-body approaches may offer additional strategies for managing the emotional and psychological aspects of living with pain.
Clinical Hypnotherapy
Research suggests that hypnosis may help some individuals manage certain types of pain, reduce pain-related distress and develop greater confidence in their ability to cope with symptoms.
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
EFT, commonly known as tapping, combines focused attention on emotional experiences with gentle tapping on specific acupressure points.
Some people find EFT helpful for managing stress, emotional distress and difficult feelings associated with persistent pain. However, research specifically examining EFT for chronic pain remains limited, and further high-quality studies are needed.
These approaches are best considered as complementary strategies within an appropriate, individualised pain-management plan.
A Whole-Person Approach to Pain Management
At Accomplish Change, we recognise the importance of considering the relationship between emotional wellbeing, stress, lifestyle and physical health.
Our integrative approach may incorporate clinical hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, EFT and stress-management strategies, depending on individual needs and circumstances.
The aim is not to suggest that pain is purely emotional, but to support individuals in developing practical ways to manage stress, strengthen coping skills and improve their overall wellbeing.
Pain Deserves to be Understood & Supported
From Both a
Physical and Psychological Perspective
Research References
Baliki, M. N., et al. (2012). Corticostriatal functional connectivity predicts transition to chronic back pain. Nature Neuroscience, 15, 1117–1119.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3153
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Chronic Pain and Complementary Health Approaches.
Important: This article is provided for educational purposes and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Persistent or unexplained pain should be assessed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Complementary approaches may be considered alongside recommended medical care.
