Stress and Pain In chronic pain, stress from everyday life (family, work, money, fear around pain) can directly activate pain pathways. People who experience chronic pain can experience an increase or recurrence of pain due to stress, anxiety, or fear- not just damaged tissue. Pain itself is a perception generated in the brain and is not always caused by injured or damaged tissue. It is, in fact, influenced by many factors. Learning stress management tools and addressing coping mechanisms in other areas of your life can greatly influence your experience and pain level over time. Aerobic exercise, however you are able to get it will help manage pain and benefit pain levels, increases oxygen to tissues, decreases sensitivity of those tissues. Practicing relaxation, meditation, hobbies, deep breathing, maintaining positive social relationships, getting enough sleep and/or integrating joy into your life however you can will all benefit your pain level. Reference for this blog: Therapeutic Neuroscience Education. Louw, A., Puentedura, E. 2013. If you are stressed out and feel tightness from Stress, call THE WELLNESS CENTER PDX and schedule an a consultation with one of our providers. you can call 503-389-5545 or schedule online at www.thewellnesscenterpdx.com |
