Mental health and pain — The deep connection

Physical pain and mental health are interconnected. Interestingly enough, they can impact and influence each other in the short and long term. Both pain and mental health can be an uphill battle until you find a stable plateau that is strong enough to support you.

There has been extra focus on mental and physical health during the pandemic for a variety of reasons. People are experiencing more musculoskeletal (MSK) problems while working from home such as neck and lower back pain, plantar fasciitis and more, which in turn may contribute to mental health problems, compounding the effect of both the individual ailments. According to KFF, 53% of adults reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted because of concerns surrounding COVID-19 and stress. However, people may not consider the potential negative impact on mental health due to musculoskeletal conditions in concert with the stress factors of the current climate.

Can physical pain increase risk of mental health issues?

Pain is not always associated with mental health conditions but it is quite often part of the equation. Pain is complex and it may be easy to overlook the mental aspects of pain as those in pain may be focused on the physical component. However, studies show that as many as 50% of people who endure chronic pain are depressed. Depression isn’t the only mental health condition, anxiety can also grow due to pain and sleep may be impacted negatively by both physical pain and mental health conditions.

Living with chronic pain often means limitations in movement, but also can inadvertently put a halt on activities that bring people joy. Injuries and pain may cause individuals to put usual activities that bring them joy on hold and leave them feeling as though they are missing out because of pain and spark a negative mental state.

Can poor mental health exacerbate physical pain?

A study by The American Clinical and Climatological Association indicates that depression can make pain more prominent, noticeable and unpleasant. Research also shows that depression can cause parts of the body to become inflamed, causing additional pain.

While it’s not physical pain, fatigue is also a side effect of mental health issues, and can clash with physical health. Other types of health concerns connected to mental distress are headaches, dizziness, nausea and more.

Treat pain and avoid its ripple effects

Have you considered getting ahead of the pain before it happens? Programs, such as Physera, work to help people treat existing pain but also avoid other aches and pains. Not only does the CDC recommend physical therapy as the first line of treatment for pain, but physical therapy can be the first step in stopping mental health problems related to pain in its tracks. Physera users have seen a 79% reduction in depression risk indicators during the course of their treatment. **

Effective pain management does not happen overnight, but the outcomes are positive.Taking control of pain could help avoid lost work days and increase productivity at work. Increased mobility and overall movement confidence are added bonuses!

Request to learn more about Physera’s virtual physical therapy program here.

**BoB stats for recovery program patients who completed care in the first half of 2020