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For centuries, pain was thought to be purely physical—an indication of bodily injury or dysfunction. Modern research, however, reveals that pain is more complex, involving not just the body and the brain but also the conscious and unconscious mind.
Studies show that pain activates brain regions responsible for processing emotions, such as the limbic system. This overlap helps explain why chronic pain affects our mental health, and it’s starting to help researchers understand why mental health issues can actually contribute to chronic pain. This understanding is leading to more effective treatments.
But first, let's talk about what Chronic Pain is.
Chronic pain is when pain persists for three months or longer. Unlike acute pain, which signals harm, chronic pain is pain that lingers without a clear cause, and it can affect not just the body but also mood, relationships, and quality of life.
How Chronic Pain Impacts Your Mental Health
Living with chronic pain is exhausting. It can make daily tasks feel overwhelming, leading to frustration, helplessness, and isolation. Over time, this can contribute to:
Depression: The persistent nature of pain can drain energy, leading to sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities.
Anxiety: The unpredictability of pain flare-ups can cause heightened worry.
Sleep Disruptions: Pain often interferes with sleep, worsening both physical and emotional distress, creating a cycle of suffering.
So, the big question is... Is It Pain All in Your Head?
You may have heard the phrase “it's all in your head” and felt like your pain and your experience are being dismissed. While it’s frustrating, there’s some truth to it. Pain is processed in the brain, including areas that respond to thoughts and emotions. Emotional and psychological factors can amplify physical sensations, creating a feedback loop where stress, anxiety, or trauma can actually worsen pain.
This can help us understand that pain is not just a physical issue. It's a complex experience shaped by biological, psychological, and social factors.
How Mental Health Impacts Chronic Pain
Chronic pain and mental health are closely linked. Anxiety, depression, and trauma contribute to the development and persistence of pain. Stress and emotional trauma can dysregulate the nervous system, leading to inflammation and increased pain sensitivity. Anxiety and depression can distort the brain’s perception of pain, making it feel more intense, which in turn worsens emotional distress and creates a vicious cycle.
Better Treatments for Chronic Pain
Understanding the mind-body connection can lead to more holistic, effective pain treatments. Techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing can help reduce stress and calm the nervous system, which can lower pain intensity. Other lifestyle adjustments—such as better sleep routines, balanced nutrition, and regular movement—can reduce inflammation and improve mood. Eliminating harmful substances like alcohol and processed sugar can also help reduce stress on the nervous system and support healing.
But what if there was more we could do?
To learn more about eliminating chronic pain, we asked Dr. Chad Nowlin, a physiotherapist specializing in pain relief and mobility. He suggests that we can take this even further.
Dr. Nowlin's approach suggests that we have been looking at the problem from the wrong direction.
He says that traditional approaches to pain ask “where it hurts”, but thinks we should be asking “why it hurts." This approach allows him to work with his clients to determine whether the pain is in fact, due to physical health or mental health factors, and oftentimes it's a combination of the two.
Dr. Nowlin shared that,
“the truth is that pain is unavoidable, everyone feels pain. But that’s actually a good thing because pain is the body's communication system. That's why, we need to learn how to communicate with the body, understand what the pain is telling you and address the root cause.”
We asked him how he does this and he said that there are three steps that he takes with his clients to help them achieve what he calls Pain Freedom.
Find the source: Identify whether the pain is physical, mental, or emotional, or a combination. And take a holistic approach to healing.
Restore the body to baseline: Dr. Nowlin’s "Keystone Reset" method helps realign the body’s support systems that influence posture and biomechanics, which reduces pain and improves movement.
Nurture the body and brain: Address new pain when it arises, create better systems for movement, fuel the body properly, and ensure proper rest.
Of course, we wanted to know more. So, we invited Dr. Nowlin to join us at Survivor School™ for a masterclass, to share his insights and methodology for developing the Keystone Reset, and how he achieves Pain Freedom with his clients.
Because we know that chronic pain affects everyone- we are opening this free masterclass to everyone. If you would like to join us click the link below. And if if you missed us live- you can check out the replay here:
XO
~Arci Grey
P.S. Check out Survivor School for more great masterclasses to help you overcome the biggest challenges survivors face.
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