Stress and pain are deeply intertwined, affecting both physical sensations and psychological wellbeing. When you’re under stress, your body can release chemicals that alter how your brain perceives pain. This relationship is complex. Sometimes, stress can exacerbate pain, while it may diminish pain sensations at other times. Understanding these mechanisms can help develop better strategies for managing pain in stressful environments.
Pain perception
Under certain conditions, stress can activate the body’s natural pain-inhibiting mechanisms, leading to a phenomenon called stress-induced analgesia (SIA). Research shows that when exposed to stressors, the brain can release chemicals like noradrenaline, which regulates pain by reducing the activity in brain regions responsible for processing pain, such as the amygdala and spinal cord. This effect can be beneficial in survival situations, allowing individuals to ignore pain and focus on the immediate threat.
Additionally, cortisol, known as the “stress hormone,” is impacted because it’s released when the body experiences stress. This process can influence pain perception. Research shows that individuals with higher cortisol responses to stress may report fewer feelings of pain.
On the flip side, stress can also worsen pain in some cases. Chronic stress can lead to stress-induced hyperalgesia (SIH), where stress increases pain sensitivity. This is often linked to decreased GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain) release and increased glutamate activity, which increases the activation of pain pathways in the spinal cord. These neurochemical changes lead to an exaggerated pain response.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain is a long-lasting pain that persists for more than three to six months or longer than the typical recovery period. It can be continuous or “on and off.”
Chronic pain conditions can mimic a stress response in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus region, associated primarily with memory. It plays a vital role in both pain and emotional processing. Long-term pain can change the structure of the brain and reduce the growth of new brain cells, which can cause stress-like symptoms and even lead to depression. This connection highlights how chronic pain and emotional stress can reinforce each other, making both conditions more challenging to manage.
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In addition, Complementary Treatments for Pain article. Sources: National Institute of Mental Health, The National Women’s Health Information Center, National Library of Medicine; SupportLinc EAP