Stress is a common complaint for patients arriving at our clinics. In fact, it’s reported that 74% of UK adults have experienced overwhelming stress in the last year. But few people realise the ways in which stress and chronic pain interact.
Osteopathy can help chronic pain, even when it’s caused by heightened stress. Our osteopaths work with each individual as a whole person – so your therapist will take into account your lifestyle, stress levels and anything else that triggers or exacerbates pain.
Although you may not be able to change stressful circumstances, we can help you change how your nervous system responds to stress. This in turn will support you to manage pain or recover from injury.
The link between stress and chronic pain
There are several ways in which stress affects pain levels. Our osteopaths are highly experienced at diagnosing the cause of your pain, and identifying whether stress is a factor.
High levels of tension in the body
We often observe a high level of muscle tension in the body when someone with high stress levels books in. That tension can be localised in one particular area or be a more general all-over sense of tension. The muscles are always activated and switched ‘on’, ready to respond to an ever-present sense of threat. If this is a habitual response to stress, it becomes hard to release that tension.
Sometimes, when we check in with a patient initially, we may hear the response to our questions “I’m not stressed”. Yet on further investigation, it’s often the case that he or she is dealing with much more than they realise. Stressful circumstances aren’t always dramatic. They may creep up gradually, so you become slowly accustomed to a state that your nervous system nonetheless perceives as ‘stressful’.
The nervous system response to pain
Under stress, our bodies release elevated levels of adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones sensitise our peripheral nerves, and this in turn heightens our perception of pain. In effect, pain thresholds are lowered over time as pain pathways fire up more easily. This is why sometimes, even after the injury has healed, pain can persist.
Can osteopathy help with chronic pain?
Osteopathy is a great approach to relieving chronic pain. Our osteopaths never force the body to release tension. Instead, we follow the body’s response and pace.
We seek to calm and rebalance the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is switched on by pain and stress while the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is stronger in quiet and calm conditions, promoting regeneration and healing.
Osteopathic treatment frees up spinal restrictions, and gently release tension in the diaphragms in the body as well as in connective tissue – muscles, ligaments and tendons. Treatment is gentle, so as not to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and trigger a defensive response from the nerves.
Gentle touch prompts the brain to release a hormone called oxytocin. This hormone supports the lowering of cortisol levels, reduction in pain levels and the growth of healthy new tissue. Osteopathic treatment therefore boosts the body’s natural healing capacity.
Your osteopath will take a full case history, to assess whether stress is contributing to your pain. He or she will ask about your lifestyle, sleep, and any concerns or anxiety that might be lowering your body’s capacity to heal.
Book your appointment now
Frustrated with pain limiting your life? We’ve got you covered – when you come in and see one of our osteopaths, you can expect a full assessment and a tailored treatment plan. Our team can help you get back to your pain-free life as fast as possible.
It couldn’t be easier to book your appointment with Osteo & Physio! Book a session via our app, website or call our friendly reception team on 0345 5577788.
