It is a long going debate now, about the relativity between pain and stress. As an Osteopath Port Melbourne we have encountered a good number of cases where a stressed-struck patient complains about unexplained toothaches, headaches or sugar cravings. Stress surely works in mysterious ways, but is there any link between stress and pain? Yes, there is a link between these two. Read further to know more about it and to understand regarding how to deal with it.
Understand the connection between stress and pain
It is noted that one in every five Australians live with pain, which includes both adults and children. The impact of pain by stress is staggering in Australia. It has been long observed that chronic pain and emotional pain have a link. In a research it is suggested that a neurotransmitter a body releases in response to pain also increases the neuropathic pain and contributes to other symptoms.
Chronic pain can be defined as the pain that lasts for anywhere about more than three months and increases with time to get worse. It is even tied back to psycho-physiological illness, which is physical symptoms found to be a direct result of psychological or emotional factors. Stress thus can be the root of non-chronic pain such as short-term headaches, and is highly difficult to find and fix.
Other studies also suggest, people suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) are particularly at a higher risk of suffering chronic pain. Being a trusted osteopath in Port Melbourne, we are often asked several questions by our patients to get a better understanding of the situation. To which we try out best to convey the concept in layman terms with a toothache analogy. A toothache for example causes people to grind their teeth in sleep, which results in teeth and jaw soreness. Stress is thus responsible for causing toothache.
Here are some possible stress related pains, do go through them:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Toothaches
- Jaw pain
- Itchy skin
- Chronic pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
How can you de-stress yourself in the best way?
So, it can be said that the stress can play a major role in chronic and non-chronic pain, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Here, is how you can de-stress yourself and combat the chronic and non-chronic pain from the roots itself.
- Turn of technology
- Immerse yourself in nature
- Visualize
- Socializing
- Focusing on a tree for 10 minutes
- Eat healthy and well-balanced meals
- Communicate and reach out for help if you need to, find help from the best South Yarra osteopathy practitioners
Know About the Exercises for Chronic Pain and Stress Related Symptoms
Start from low impact activities, it is a great way to kick-off your de-stressing regime while being diagnosed with chronic pain. Activities such as cycling, swimming, Pilates and other body weight exercises help. Also, one of the most effective ways to combat it is to follow a personalized treatment plan suggested by a professional osteopath.
