Therapy and physical pain

Scope Psychology Services Australia

Inclusive. Diverse. Accessible.

发布日期: 2023年4月5日

+ 关注

We’re living a more sedentary lifestyle than ever, due in part to the rise of office work and our increased use of technology. With this lifestyle comes increased risk of developing chronic pain conditions (particularly lower back pain) that can have a significant impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. While medication or surgery might be the first place people go for physical help, they can often overlook their mental needs and underlying psychological problems that contribute to pain.

The link between pain and emotions

How can therapy help with pain? Studies show that pain has a strong link to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression. High amounts of mental stress can actually cause physical inflammation within the body, which can worsen any pain you experience. There’s also a connection between pain and feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and low self-esteem, which further exacerbates physical symptoms. The key is to understand that the mind and the body are intrinsically linked, meaning treating your mind can be as important as the body when it comes to dealing with your physical pain.

Therapy’s role in pain recovery

Psychological therapy helps to manage pain by addressing the underlying psychological factors that may be contributing to increased physical symptoms. This can be done by:

Managing stress and anxiety

Pain often comes with increased stress and anxiety. Intrusive thoughts such as “Will I ever be comfortable again?” or “When will this end?” can further induce stress upon your body. Psychologists use therapy to help you identify and manage the sources of stress and anxiety around your pain, and work to reduce the emotional toll they take on your body.

Improving coping skills

Learning new coping skills is a fantastic way to manage difficulties, including physical pain symptoms. Through therapy, psychologists can teach you evidence-based coping skills to help manage pain, such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices or stress management techniques.

Improving sleep

Often, pain can disrupt sleep, especially if it's chronic pain. A lack of sleep can lead to further physical and mental exhaustion, which will only continue to worsen if the body can’t get an adequate amount of sleep. In therapy, psychologists can help you identify the root cause of your sleep problems and give you techniques and routine to manage them.

Enhancing self esteem

Hopelessness and helplessness are two of the most overwhelming feelings that come with chronic pain. Therapy offers a way for you to regain a sense of control over your life, your health and your wellbeing. Psychologists are experts at helping to build one’s self-esteem, teach self compassion and improve overall mental health.

Providing support

Therapy is a supportive environment in which you can discuss your feelings and experiences about your pain with a psychologist. Much like a support group, therapy serves to help you understand more about your situation and give you the opportunity to feel heard and understood, which can be a huge relief for someone struggling.

Therapy at Scope

Managing chronic pain is a complex process that often doesn’t just require medical treatment, but requires a comprehensive psychological approach from a psychologist. Therapy can help by improving your coping skills, managing sleep, self esteem, stress and anxiety, and providing you with a supportive environment. At Scope Psychology Services Australia, we have registered psychologists equipped to provide treatment for chronic pain. Contact our friendly customer support team if you’d like a specific recommendation.