Chronic Pain and Mind-Body Disorder

What is chronic pain? In contrast to acute pain which is the body’s normal response to tissue damage or injury, chronic pain is pain that is ongoing and usually lasts longer than six months. This type of pain can continue even after the injury or illness that caused it has healed. Pain signals remain active in the nervous system for weeks, months and sometimes years. Some of the answers for the mechanism of chronic pain are in the interplay of our body and mind.

“Our mind and body are connected,” – not many people would argue with this statement. More than ever, especially in recent decades, we have been moving to more holistic approach to our life and health.

However, we rarely think what does it actually mean “mind-body connection”? It kind of makes sense – our mind can affect our body and vise versa. Although, if we suddenly develop pain in our body, we automatically assume that something is wrong physically, and often any suggestion from other people or even our own thought that maybe our feelings can produce this pain are perceived as dismissing of the reality of our suffering,- “Does it mean it is all in my head?!”

The real answer to this question is, “Everything is in our head.” There is actually no such thing as mind and body – these are just concepts that we use to describe different aspects of human experience. Our thoughts, feelings, and dreams are not just some ephemeral construct – they are results of the function of our brain; they are embodied experiences, part of who we are on the very structural and biological level.

Chronic pain can take many forms, including back pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. Often, this pain is influenced by central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes hyperactive, amplifying pain signals.

The Mind-Body Connection and Chronic Pain

The mind and body are deeply interconnected, with mental and emotional states playing a significant role in how we experience physical sensations like pain. This relationship opens doors to innovative psychological treatments for chronic pain.

Stress and Pain Amplification

Stress can heighten pain sensitivity by increasing tension and triggering inflammation. Learn more about how stress impacts health on our page.

Emotional and Psychological Factors

Chronic pain is often accompanied by depression, anxiety, or trauma. These emotions can create a feedback loop, worsening pain perception. On the other hand, addressing emotional health can significantly reduce pain symptoms. Explore how emotional well-being influences physical health in our psychology blog.

Mounting evidence from research and clinical practice have shown that stress, trauma and repressed emotions are capable of causing persistent real pain and other physical symptoms. This is what we call a Mind-Body Disorder also called Psychophysiologic Disorder (PPD) or Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS)]. Unfortunately, there is no conclusive diagnostic test for this condition so the single most common question patients have is whether their personal symptoms could be caused by Mind-Body Syndrome.

Usually, the more symptoms you have, the more places in your body they are located, and the more variable they are in severity over time, then the more likely it is that Mind-Body Disorder is a contributing factor.

Conditions that commonly have a significant contribution from PPD include (but are not limited to) those listed below:

Mind-body conditions, such as chronic pain, IBS, tension headaches, and fibromyalgia, often arise from a complex interplay of physical and emotional factors. At K Psychology, we specialize in psychological treatments that address the root causes of these conditions, offering relief and improved well-being.

Two of the most effective therapies we provide for mind-body conditions are Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT).

Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)

ISTDP is a transformative, evidence-based approach that uncovers and resolves repressed emotions, which often manifest as physical symptoms. Emotional conflicts, such as unprocessed anger, grief, or anxiety, can create stress responses in the body, contributing to chronic conditions.

How ISTDP Helps with Mind-Body Conditions

• Uncover Emotional Triggers: ISTDP helps identify hidden emotional patterns contributing to physical symptoms.
• Release Repressed Emotions: By safely processing difficult emotions, ISTDP reduces the physical toll on the body.
• Address Anxiety and Stress: ISTDP is effective in reducing anxiety, a key factor in many mind-body conditions.

Learn more about how ISTDP can help by visiting our ISTDP page.

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)

Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) focuses on retraining the brain to reinterpret chronic pain signals as non-threatening. Chronic pain is often perpetuated by the brain’s misinterpretation of harmless signals as dangerous. PRT works to break this cycle.

How PRT Treats Chronic Pain

• Reframe Pain Perception: PRT helps patients understand that their pain is often a false alarm from the brain.
• Retrain the Brain: Through guided exercises, the brain learns to deactivate its pain response.
• Empower Recovery: PRT promotes a sense of control over pain, leading to significant relief.

Discover more about PRT on our Pain Reprocessing Therapy page.

Why Psychological Treatments Work

Chronic symptoms often persist due to unresolved emotional conflicts or brain-based misinterpretations of physical sensations. Psychological therapies like ISTDP and PRT not only address these underlying factors but also empower individuals to take charge of their health.

At K-Psychology, we tailor treatments to each individual, integrating proven methods to achieve meaningful, lasting results.

Start Your Healing Journey

If you’re struggling with chronic pain or other mind-body conditions, you don’t have to face it alone. Visit our contact page to schedule a consultation and explore the best psychological treatments for your needs.