Living with chronic pain can be difficult and harm one's daily life. It can cause long-term physical limitations, making it difficult for a person to go out and participate in activities they used to enjoy.

Additionally, chronic pain can lead to significant mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which can be challenging to manage. Let's take a deeper look at how chronic pain leads to mental health problems.

Physical Pain leading to Emotional Problems

Pain is a physical sensation that can often be associated with emotions. It is believed that pain can affect our feelings and vice versa. Pain has been described as a “biopsychosocial phenomenon” due to its complex connection with physical factors, thoughts, feelings, and environment.

On a biological level, pain results from an injury or illness that stimulates the nervous system and sends signals to the brain. The brain interprets these signals and reacts through physical and emotional responses. 

Studies have found that emotions can influence how we experience pain. Negative emotions such as fear, anger, and anxiety can increase our perception of pain, while positive emotions such as joy, love, and hope can reduce our perception of pain. 

A person’s emotional state can also affect how quickly they recover from pain. For example, if a person is depressed or anxious, they may take longer to heal from an injury or illness. 

Depression is a complex mental health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Besides the psychological symptoms of depression, such as sadness, hopelessness, and low self-esteem, physical pain is also a common symptom of depression. 

Depression and physical pain are closely linked; in some cases, physical pain can lead to depression. Often, people can experience physical pain before they start to feel depressed. This is because physical pain and depression share a common link in the brain. 

Research has shown that people with depression often experience neck, back, and shoulder pain. This illness can also cause headaches and stomachaches. This physical pain can lead to decreased physical activity, which can further exacerbate feelings of depression.

Treatments to Relieve Pain

About half of the people who suffer from chronic pain also experience some form of depression and anxiety. The constant, debilitating levels of discomfort can cause them to feel lonely, overwhelmed, and hopeless. It can also cause them to withdraw from activities they used to enjoy. Thankfully, treatments are available to relieve pain and reduce the symptoms of depression.

Acupuncture

This ancient Chinese practice works by stimulating the body's natural healing ability. By inserting needles into the skin, acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body. 

Endorphins also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can help to alleviate symptoms of depression. Acupuncture can also help to reduce inflammation, which may help to reduce pain and improve overall health.

Temperature

Heat therapy can also help to reduce physical pain and depression. The technique works by increasing circulation and helping to relax muscles, which can help to reduce pain. This therapy can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can help to improve overall mental health.

On the other hand, physiotherapists also use cold to help reduce pain and improve range of motion. Cold therapy can be used to help reduce inflammation and swelling.

Manual Therapy

This therapy is based on the manipulation of soft tissue and joints to improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and restore normal movements. Manual therapy techniques include joint mobilizations, stretching, muscle release and massage. It can help to reduce pain, improve range of motion, restore normal movement patterns, and improve overall physical function.

Electrical Stimulation

This physiotherapy technique uses electrical impulses to reduce pain, improve range of motion, and enhance physical function. This type of therapy can be used to treat physical pain and depression by promoting muscle relaxation, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation.

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Physiotherapists may also use lifestyle changes to help people to manage their physical pain and depression. This may include changes to diet, exercise, or stress management. These changes can help to improve overall well-being and reduce the levels of pain and depression. 

Are you looking for a physiotherapist in Whitehorse? Take control of your life again with Whitehorse Physiotherapy. Our expert team of physiotherapists will surely help you to be yourself again. Schedule your first appointment and recover faster with us!