Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur after a person has been through a traumatically stressful event. PTSD symptoms can include intrusive memories of the event, flashbacks, nightmares, sleep problems, irritability, and being easily startled. For some people, PTSD can also lead to depression and anxiety.
Chronic pain is a reality for many people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has shown a strong connection between the two conditions. And while it’s important to talk to a doctor about any chronic pain that you may be experiencing, understanding the link between PTSD and chronic pain can help you better manage your symptoms. So please keep reading to learn more about the relationship between these two conditions.
What Causes PTSD?
- Combat
- A car accident
- A natural disaster
- A sexual assault
- A physical assault
- Having a history of mental illness
- Having a history of trauma
- Being female
- Being younger
- Having a lack of social support
Symptoms of PTSD
- Intrusive memories of the event
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Sleep problems
- Irritability
- Being easily startled
- Avoiding things that remind you of the event
PTSD, Chronic Pain & The Mind-Body Connection
People with PTSD are more likely to experience chronic pain than those without PTSD. For example, up to 61% of women with PTSD also suffer from chronic pelvic pain. In addition, it has also been discovered that 54% of Vietnam veterans with PTSD also suffer from chronic back pain.
The link between PTSD and chronic pain is thought to be due to the mind-body connection. When someone experiences trauma, their body goes into fight-or-flight mode. This reaction is meant to protect the person from danger. However, when someone undergoes trauma repeatedly — as is often the case with PTSD — the fight-or-flight response can become chronically activated. This chronic activation can lead to changes in the nervous system, leading to chronic pain.
How Does PTSD Cause Chronic Pain?
Finally, PTSD can lead to chronic pain by causing changes in how the nervous system functions. This can lead to a condition called “central sensitization,” which is when the nervous system becomes more sensitive to pain.
Central sensitization can cause a person to feel pain even when there is no physical reason for it. And it happens because the nervous system is constantly on high alert, leading to muscle tension and headaches.
PTSD and chronic pain can also feed off each other. For example, someone with PTSD may avoid activities and places that remind them of their trauma. This avoidance can lead to physical deconditioning, which can make the pain worse. Or someone with chronic pain may be more likely to develop PTSD if they experience a traumatic event because chronic pain can make it harder to cope with additional stress.
Treating Chronic Pain & PTSD
If you are suffering from chronic pain and PTSD, seeking treatment for both conditions is vital. Untreated chronic pain can make it difficult to sleep, which can then worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression — both of which are common in people with untreated PTSD. Conversely, untreated PTSD can make it challenging to manage chronic pain effectively. Treating them simultaneously, therefore, is essential to managing both conditions effectively.
Educate Yourself on The Connection Between PTSD & Chronic Pain
And if you’re currently experiencing chronic pain, remember to use your Kailo Pain Patch to support you through each day. The Kailo patch is designed to relieve your pain within seconds without any oral medication. And scientists theorize that it works by interfering with the body’s electrical system. In a recent clinical study, the results showed that 99% of patients felt pain relief within 10 minutes of using the Kailo pain patch.
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
