Are Stress/Emotional Health and Pain Related?
Are Stress/Emotional Health and Pain Related?
Most of you have probably heard of stress causing pain…is this true?
Yes! Here is the thing. Stress is a normal part of life - we are supposed to have stress. When we let it control us and we don’t manage it well is when it begins to present as different things in our body and not be healthy for us.
Our brain is VERY powerful and is controlled by our thought life. When we have chronic stress, it definitely can present as pain in our bodies. This is when it can be helpful (usually before) to see a physical therapist to help you learn techniques to manage stress such as diaphragm breathing and other exercises. PTs can also provide manual therapy including cupping, dry needling, and more, which can help with tension and pain relief.
Some people have more stress, anxiety, and depression because of chronic pain that hasn’t been dealt with. Others have things weighing them down in life first and pain happens as a result of that.
What is important to know?
The biggest thing we tell our patients is that the first step is reaching out for help. Between talking to a counselor about your stressors, to getting help with your pain, a care team can be very beneficial.
Also, it is important to note that when we have pain, especially chronic, it is reinforced when we fear it, get frustrated with it, or get angry about it. So instead of judging your pain and letting it control you, the first step is acknowledging you have it but knowing something can be done about it. We don’t want to reinforce the pain cycle - again, the brain is very powerful and will play tricks on you.
Give your body safe messages that you are ok, and get with a PT to work on your pain so you can start feeling more confident with moving your body the way you want to without being held back.
Watch this video for an explanation of the above information in more detail!
If this sounds like you, come see us. We are a safe place for you to feel all the feels and learn solutions to get you back to feeling confident and empowered!
Schedule an appointment with us!
