The Hidden Connection: Examining the Link Between Repressed Emotions and Chronic Back Pain

March 13, 2023

The Mind-Body connection to chronic back pain

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints among people of all ages. In fact, it's estimated that up to 80% of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives. While physical factors like injury, infections, and muscle strain are often blamed for back pain, there is increasing evidence to suggest that the mind-body connection plays a big role in creating and sustaining back pain, thus making it a chronic condition.

The mind-body connection refers to the relationship between a person's thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This connection is complex and can be difficult to understand, but it's clear that our mental state can have a significant impact on our physical health.

Three ways the mind-body connection may be involved

1. Stress and anxiety can cause muscle tension and contribute to pain in the back and neck.

2. Stress and anxiety can also activate the sympathetic nervous system, which can increase inflammation and contribute to pain.

3. The brain's pain processing centers can be influenced by our thoughts and emotions. Negative thoughts and emotions - including fear and anxiety - can increase pain perception, making the pain feel more intense and unbearable.

Six helpful techniques to significantly reduce pain

1. Mental and Emotional Release Therapy

2. Pain Reprocessing Therapy

3. Integrative coaching

4. Mindfulness meditation

5. Yoga

6. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

These techniques have been shown to reduce – and often eliminate – pain, and improve function in people with chronic back pain, by:

• Lowering the level of stress and anxiety

• Promoting relaxation

• Reducing muscle tension

• Reducing inflammation

• Changing negative thought patterns

Overall, there is growing evidence to suggest that the mind-body connection plays an important role in back pain. By addressing both physical and psychological factors, we may be able to understand, heal, and prevent back pain more effectively.

If you're experiencing back pain, consider talking to a healthcare provider to rule out any structural damage before seeking out a mind-body therapy to see if it could be helpful for you.