Although trauma does not cause chronic pain, it makes individuals more vulnerable to developing persistent pain syndromes.
Let's explore the why behind this mind-body connection.
What is Trauma
Let's start by defining trauma.
Trauma is described as an "event, series of events, or set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual's functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being."
In essence, traumatic event overwhelms the body's natural coping mechanisms.
Trauma is more common than you might think: A statistic released by the Institute of chronic pain states that up to 90% of women with fibromyalgia report trauma at some stage. This highlights the close relationship between trauma and chronic pain.
The mind-body link
Suffering traumatic stress can affect your emotions and body; the two are so connected that it can be hard to tell the difference. Traumatic stress can lead to sleeping difficulties and issues with memory and concentration.
Traumatic stress also can lead to unhealthy coping strategies, including an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, ad poor sleep habits. These coping strategies can affect your body and mental health negatively.
So how is trauma linked to chronic pain?
Overly reactive nervous system
The nervous system becomes overactive following trauma. This means it stays stuck in a state of fight-or-flight and stress. The same patterns occur in chronic pain.
Chronic pain changes our nervous system and brain. The nervous system becomes overly sensitive and overprotective. This is also known as central sensitisation. It means that your nervous system is stuck on high alert. Like a faulty alarm, it sends pain messages reacting to perceived threats, even when no real danger exists.
So both chronic pain and trauma cause the nervous system to be overly active. Research shows that trauma predisposes individuals to central sensitisations and nervous system hypersensitivity.
Flashbacks
It is common for trauma survivors to relive aspects of their trauma. This happens involuntarily and is highly distressing, and comes in the form of flashbacks and nightmares. Through this reexperiencing, they are being taken back to a heightened emotional state, their bodies and minds actively moving into fight or flight mode. REgualr returns to this heightened stress response can worsen the pain.
Poor sleep
Difficulty falling asleep and getting a good night's sleep is common in trauma survivors. Chronic pain sufferers tend to have the same problem. Lack of sleep exacerbates chronic pain, worsens mood and lowers nervous system capacity.
Avoiding social interactions
Avoiding social interactions due to a fear of facing potential flashbacks is not uncommon.
Social withdrawal is also common in chronic pain and detrimental to physical and mental health.
We are wired for human connection and healing in a relationship. Social isolation has been shown to increase inflammation in the body.
Interacting with others helps us to maintain our mood, to enhance cognitive functioning and to gain support from others. When lacking, it can contribute to depression, negative perceptions of pain and inactivity.
Emotional dysregulation
Pain is the product of several key brain areas working together to create a pain neuromatrix. Areas involved are also responsible for memory creation, emotional regulation and focus. Thus, there is a close link between emotions and pain.
Trauma survivors may struggle to regulate challenging emotions, giving rise to unhelpful coping behaviour that makes pain worse.
Changes in perception
Trauma shifts our worldview. Trauma can move us from a place of safety to a place of survival and affect how we perceive ourselves and others. This perception often leads to helplessness and frustration, significantly impacting pain levels.
Treatments
If you have been experiencing trauma, and are suffering from chronic pain, know there is support and the possibility to heal.
Give yourself time to heal. This is a difficult time in your life. Allow yourself to grieve and practice self-compassion.
Seek professional help: work with a trauma-informed pain specialist.
Learn about pain and trauma to feel more in control of what is happening in your body.
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