Many believe that there is a mental aspect to almost any type of illness. But is it rational to assume that there is also a mental aspect of virtually all types of physical pain? The simple truth is that the mental state affects the physical and vice versa.
Traditional medicine calls this the psychosomatic effect. It is interesting to note that psychosomatic medicine turned out to be the last unit in the field of psychiatry to be certified. The Board of Certified Physicians includes the best professionals in 24 different medical specialties (e.g. neurology, dermatology, psychiatry, etc.). It is important that these medical specialties are recognized by the medical and scientific communities as vital to public health.
Indeed, pain can be caused by emotional and mental conditions. Scientists have shown that mental, emotional and physical pain activates the same areas of the brain: the anterior insula and the anterior cingulate cortex. So there really is a physiological connection between the brain and the body.
Today we'll talk about 10 different types of pain that are directly related to feelings, emotions and thoughts. Armed with this knowledge, you can start making any necessary adjustments to feel better.
Here are 10 types of pain that feelings, emotions and thoughts cause
1. Back pain
The back and shoulders are the area where we most feel muscle tension. Chiropractors, osteopaths, and other medical professionals explain the link between stress, anxiety, and back pain. To make matters worse, this type of pain is cyclical. We get stressed and worried about back pain, which causes muscles to tighten. When muscles tense, we begin to feel frustrated and angry.
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2. Headaches and migraines
Dr. Christina Peterson, board-certified physician, writes: “Stress comes in many forms, including temporary, emotional and physical fatigue. This whole set can cause migraines. In addition, emotions such as anger, anxiety, sadness, and depression are the causes of headaches.
Good doctors recommend practicing relaxation techniques, meditation, and seeking the help of a counselor if the pain persists.
3. Neck pain
A build-up of negative emotions can affect almost every area of our body. Neck pain is one of the most common complaints of people suffering from anxiety disorders.
It is almost impossible to explain the many reasons why anxiety may appear. These may include financial problems and worries, relationship problems, sadness, fatigue, etc.
4. Shoulder pain
Many kinesiologists believe that our shoulders are the part of the body most prone to feeling the negative effects of stress. Have you ever wondered how the expression "Carry the whole load of the world on your shoulders" appeared? It turns out there is a lot of truth in it.
5. Abdominal pain or cramps
Most worries, fears and anxieties we feel with our poor stomach. If you experience these emotions repeatedly, don't be surprised that they can cause stomach pain. In fact, scientists have found that chronic stress can develop into stomach ulcers.
6. Elbow pain
Dr. Alan Vogel, in his work published in Psychology Today, writes: "All emotions have their own engine." The same can be said for mental conditions that cause elbow pain. While many medical conditions, such as arthritis, can cause elbow pain, a mental condition such as depression can also manifest as pain in strange enough parts of the body … including the elbows.
7. Pain in the arms
Hand pain can also occur due to medical conditions. But some say that the hands can hurt due to feelings of isolation or imprisonment. As Dr. Vogel said, every one of our emotions manifests itself as a physical symptom … so anything is possible, right?
8. Pain in the hip joint
Aside from official medical conditions, some of our emotions are almost certainly the cause of hip pain. The human body has more nerve endings in the hip than we might think, so stress can manifest itself as physical pain in this area.
9. Knee pain
The dependence of knee pain on our emotions has the same rationale as in the case of the hip joint. There are many nerve endings in the knee, hence more connections for connecting the brain and body. Thus, it is more likely that emotional triggers such as anxiety, fear, depression, etc. will manifest as knee pain than in other less sensitive areas such as the hips.
10. Pain in the legs
Here is what one podiatrist says about the relationship between mental, emotional and leg pain: “People who experience stress have a wide range of biomechanical problems. I'm not trying to be a guru … but I am convinced that there is an anecdotal connection between pain in the lower limb and the emotional state."
Experts at Columbia University admit, “There is some evidence that there are psychological conditions that can be associated with physical symptoms,” and that treating the real cause of the pain may be the solution.
After examining and identifying the causes of physical pain, it is worth doing the same with regard to the emotional state.
Relaxation techniques (such as progressive muscle relaxation), controlled breathing, meditation, guided imagination, and many other practices can help people who are in both physical and emotional pain.
Before we close, let me make a quick note: it is extremely important to consult a licensed healthcare professional, such as your healthcare provider, for any serious physical symptoms.
Anna Pismenna