A fall on a bike, a small cut peeling a potato or getting up from a bad nap without being able to move your neck; Physical pain is a universal experience that all people face at some point. Pain is not pleasant, and it is this in itself that defines its nature.
But what happens when pain persists, becomes chronic, and doesn’t seem to have an obvious physical cause? Can the mind play a role in both the cause of pain and its relief? This is what is known, for example, as somatization: a physical pain caused by an emotional or psychological ailment. Many people face constant pain daily, which has a significant impact on their quality of life, their comfort, and the ability to carry out daily tasks or activities. If this pain does not have a directly physical cause, what can be done to reduce it? The answer is in psychotherapy.
In this article, we will answer whether psychotherapy helps relieve physical pain. We will take a more holistic conception of pain focused on its emotional and psychological component, and we will seek to shed light on this phenomenon that often goes unnoticed and neglected.
As we have already been commenting, physical pain is a universal experience that all people experience at some point under some circumstance, which has different ways of manifesting itself and degrees of intensity. From acute pain caused by a traumatic injury to chronic pain associated with diseases such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, its impact on long-term health and well-being should not be underestimated.
Focusing on chronic pain in particular, it can have devastating effects on the quality of life of those who suffer from it. It is important to understand that this It not only affects the body, but also puts tremendous pressure on the emotional and mental state of the people who experience it. This constant discomfort and limitation in carrying out daily tasks and activities can lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia and chronic stress.
In addition to considering the emotional and psychological impact of long-term pain, the side effects of chronic pain also extend to social and work life, significantly characterized by a decrease in productivity and social participation. This downward spiral can trap people in a cycle of suffering that is difficult to break, and it is at this point that psychotherapy can function as a light at the end of the tunnel.
It is important to remember that physical pain does not always have a purely physical cause. Stress, anxiety and depression can exacerbate pain or even be its main trigger. Therefore, understanding and addressing the emotional and mental dimension of pain is essential for a complete treatment that focuses on well-being as a general dimension to all aspects of the human experience.
The role of psychotherapy in addressing physical pain
Psychotherapy is generally known as a valuable tool for addressing mental and/or emotional health issues. However, Its scope must also be expanded to include the treatment of chronic pain and other medical conditions in its spectrum. But how does it work and why is it effective, if the mind and body “are different things”?
Precisely, one of the key points of psychotherapy to relieve physical and/or chronic pain lies in the recognition of the mind-body interaction. This means that a person’s emotions, thoughts, and mental state can significantly influence the perception and intensity of physical pain. Cognitive and behavioral therapies, in addition to cognitive-behavioral therapies, generated by combining the previous two, focus on identifying and changing patterns of thought and behavior that may be contributing to suffering. We are going to explain these two therapeutic forms separately, thus being able to understand their peculiarities:
1. Cognitive therapy
Cognitive therapy focuses on restructuring negative or distorted thoughts related to pain. For example, a person who suffers from chronic pain may have limiting beliefs, such as “I will never recover” or “the pain always gets worse.” Cognitive therapy works to modify these beliefs and promotes the adoption of more realistic and optimistic thoughts, which in turn can reduce the perception of pain. It is important to understand that, In many cases, pain is the result, as well as the cause, of an emotional ailment of a cognitive nature. It is common to somatize anxiety, for example, in digestive problems.
Behavioral therapy, on the other hand, focuses on changing behavior patterns that may aggravate pain or limit activity. This involves implementing coping strategies such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and gradual activity scheduling. These approaches can not only help reduce pain, but also improve a person’s quality of life by allowing them to re-engage in activities that were previously inaccessible due to pain. Behavioral therapy focuses on our behaviors and in promoting those that move as far away as possible from pain and have the most positive impact possible on physical and emotional well-being.
3. Other therapeutic approaches
In addition to these cognitive and behavioral therapies, there are other psychotherapy modalities that may be beneficial for managing physical pain, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and exposure therapy. These therapies are tailored to the individual needs of patients and are often used in combination with conventional medical treatments.
Scientific evidence and relevant studies
The question of whether psychotherapy can relieve physical pain is not simply a question of theory; It is supported by a growing amount of scientific evidence. Numerous studies have investigated the effects of psychotherapy on pain management, and the results are encouraging.
One of the most studied approaches is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic pain. Patients who participate in CBT programs often report a significant decrease in pain intensity as well as an improvement in their quality of life. CBT has been used successfully in a variety of conditions, from chronic back pain to migraine and fibromyalgia.
A study published in the journal “Pain” in 2018 examined the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with chronic low back pain. The results revealed that those who received cognitive behavioral therapy experienced a significant reduction in pain and an increased ability to perform daily activities compared to the control group who did not receive therapy.
In addition to CBT, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has gained recognition in the treatment of chronic pain. ACT focuses on acceptance of painful experiences and promoting adaptation through personal values. Research has shown that ACT can increase pain tolerance and reduce pain-related suffering.
Complementary approaches
While psychotherapy can be a valuable tool in managing physical pain, it is important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. In fact, it is often beneficial to combine therapeutic approaches to address pain holistically.
1. Physiotherapy
One of the most common complementary approaches is physical therapy. Physiotherapy focuses on physical rehabilitation and restoration of muscle and joint function. It works in conjunction with psychotherapy to address both the physical and emotional aspects of pain. For example, a patient suffering from chronic back pain may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy to address negative thoughts related to pain, while also receiving specific physical therapy exercises to strengthen back muscles and improve mobility.
2. Medicine
Another valuable complementary approach is medicine. In some cases, relief from physical pain may require medications prescribed by a medical professional. These medications can be a crucial part of treatment, especially in situations of severe acute or chronic pain.
Considerations and limitations
Despite advances in the application of psychotherapy to relieve physical pain, it is important to recognize that it is not a panacea. The effectiveness of psychotherapy can vary from person to person, and not all individuals will experience complete pain relief. Besides, Psychotherapy does not replace the need for proper medical evaluation or other medical treatment when necessary. In some cases, physical pain may have underlying physical causes that require specialized medical care. Psychotherapy, ultimately, is a valuable, but not exclusive, component in addressing physical pain, and should always have medical and psychological supervision.
