Trauma and Chronic Pain

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Woman sitting curled up on a gray sofa holding her head in discomfort, struggling with pain and stress

There are several risk factors that have been identified which contribute to the development of a chronic pain condition including psychological trauma.

Patients who experience psychological trauma and abuse during childhood have greater risks of developing chronic pain in adulthood. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other psychiatric disorders are co-morbid with chronic pain. Symptoms of PTSD are more commonly reported by patients with chronic pain when compared to patients who are experiencing episodic pain.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after exposure to an extreme stressor or event in which the individual feels helplessness and often experiences an intense fear of pending physical harm or death.

After experiencing this stressful event, it is common for individuals to re-experience the event later in life. Increased arousal, emotional numbing, and avoidance of stimuli associated with the event are often part of this experience.

The physical body retains and internalizes these re-experiencing events and increases an individual’s vulnerability to experiencing a chronic pain condition later in life.

This is especially true for women who are, more likely than men, the victims of sexual abuse and assault. Many women with pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and chronic migraine report experiencing trauma at some stage of their lives.

The emotional toll that a traumatic event takes on us is often self-evident and often presents as depression, anxiety, and the inability to regulate emotions. Physical effects such as muscle tension and inflammation may appear immediately after the traumatic event or may emerge later when triggered by stress.

Physical effects of trauma may also include overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, sleep disturbances, physical numbing, and hyperarousal.

Psychological therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation exercises have proven to be helpful to alleviate the symptoms associated with both trauma and chronic pain. Multidimensional and interdisciplinary approaches that incorporate mental health care can be highly effective in treating these co-morbid conditions and successful treatment that alleviates suffering and provides relief from both physical and mental symptoms.

If you recognize yourself in this connection, it does not mean your pain is “all in your head.” Your pain is real, and so is the impact of what you have lived through. A therapist who understands both trauma and chronic pain can help you notice how your body holds stress and learn ways to calm your nervous system. That work happens alongside your medical care, not in place of it. At Fox Valley Institute, trauma-focused approaches such as EMDR are among the options your therapist may talk through with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a link between trauma and chronic pain?

Yes. Research shows that people who experienced trauma or abuse, especially in childhood, have a higher risk of developing chronic pain conditions later in life.

How does PTSD relate to chronic pain?

PTSD and chronic pain often occur together. The heightened arousal, tension and stress responses of PTSD can amplify pain, and living with pain can in turn keep trauma symptoms active.

Why does the body hold on to trauma?

After a traumatic event, the nervous system can stay on high alert. Re-experiencing, muscle tension and stress hormones may keep the body in a protective state that increases vulnerability to pain.

What treatments help with trauma-related pain?

A combined approach often works best, including trauma-focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy for pain, relaxation and mindfulness skills, and coordination with medical providers.