Is Stress Causing My Pain?

Pain is a complex and multifaceted sensation that can be influenced by a variety of factors. While physical injuries and medical conditions often come to mind when we think about pain, it’s important to recognize that other factors, such as stress, can also play a role. As a physical therapist, I often see patients whose pain may be exacerbated or even caused by stress. In this blog, we’ll explore the relationship between stress and pain and how managing stress can be an important aspect of pain management.

What Is Stress?

Stress is the body’s natural response to a perceived threat or challenge. When we encounter stress, our bodies are put into a “fight or flight” response. While this response can be helpful in certain situations, chronic or prolonged stress can have negative effects on our physical and mental health. When it comes to pain, stress can influence how our bodies perceive and respond to painful stimuli. Stress can lower our pain threshold, making us more sensitive to pain. Additionally, stress can exacerbate existing pain conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or tension headaches.

Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension and tightness, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and lower back areas. This muscle tension can contribute to pain and discomfort and impair range of motion and mobility. Stress can also disrupt sleep patterns, which are essential for the body to repair and recover. Poor sleep quality can worsen pain symptoms and contribute to a cycle of stress and discomfort.

Fortunately, there are strategies we can use to manage stress and alleviate pain. As a physical therapist, I often incorporate stress-reduction techniques into my treatment plans to help patients achieve better pain management outcomes.

Stress management techniques include:

1. Relaxation and deep breathing exercises
2. Regular exercise
3. Making healthy lifestyle choices when it comes to nutrition, sleep, and more
4. Seeking support

So, What’s Next?

Stress can impact our experience of pain. Understanding the relationship between stress and pain and implementing effective stress management techniques, can improve our well-being and reduce discomfort. As always, consulting with a healthcare professional, such as a physical therapist or primary care physician, is important to develop a comprehensive treatment plan customized to your individual needs. By managing stress and prioritizing self-care, we can take control of our pain and live healthier, happier lives. If you’re seeking stress management tips or experiencing pain that is getting in the way of your daily activities, contact our team to connect with a movement expert near you. Athletico offers free in-person and virtual assessment through our telehealth platform. You can sit down with a licensed physical therapist to learn what treatment options are available for your needs. Don’t put your pain off any longer. Get started by finding a location near you today!

Schedule a Free Assessment

*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.