Pain and What Your Body May Really Be Telling You

Relaxation/Mindfulness therapy is a useful approach for chronic pain and includes progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, and guided imagery. The ability to relax helps by decreasing overall sympathetic arousal. A reduction in overall anxiety-based symptoms may also increase a patient’s ability to tolerate pain. Relaxation training protocols help clients to learn and utilize these techniques so that they can be recalled rapidly and automatically.

Biofeedback is another helpful, non-pharmacological approach to managing chronic pain. Through biofeedback, a client’s physiological processes are monitored including muscle tension, skin temperature, galvanic skin response, pulse rate, and blood pressure. This information is sent back to the patient with visual or auditory signals and the patient learns to gain control over these processes. Electromyography activity (muscle tension), electro-dermal activity (sweat gland response) and temperature control are all responses to the sympathetic nervous system and can be easily monitored by the patient through biofeedback.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a non-pharmacological approach which enables patients to handle chronic pain-related stress and concurrent psychological conditions more effectively. CBT modifies behavioral patterns related to reactions to certain events, thoughts, and interpretations by recognizing the interconnections between stress, coping, and chronic pain. CBT also addresses negative automatic thoughts, avoidance, behavioral reinforcement, and the patient’s perception of control over pain symptoms. Combined approaches using CBT, relaxation, and biofeedback is quite effective and clients often see improvements within a week. Full treatment protocols may require more sessions and those who complete these protocols are better equipped to manage chronic pain for years. The therapeutic benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapies endure over time and give the chronic pain patient a significant clinical advantage to address and manage their symptoms.

Recognizing pain and/or “feeling sick” are ideal indicators that there may be something more going on. Therapy can help discover underlying behavioral health concerns that may be manifesting through physical symptoms or pain by providing insight into how psychological factors like anxiety, depression, trauma, and/or other clinical concerns may impact the physical body.

Individuals and caregivers/dependents of those who are considering Bariatric Surgery or coping with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Fibromyalgia, Functional Neurological Disorder, Headache Conditions, (Migraine, Cluster, Tension-Type), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Multiple Sclerosis, Pain Management,  Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures, Psychological Factors Affecting General Medical Conditions, Somatoform Disorders, and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ), have benefited and experienced relief from engaging in therapy as part of their treatment plan.  However, I encourage individuals to be proactive with their behavioral health before physical manifestations develop.

It also helps to watch for patterns. Many people notice their pain feels worse on days full of stress, poor sleep or difficult emotions, and better when they feel rested and supported. A simple daily log can reveal connections that are easy to miss in the moment. Write down your pain level next to your mood, your sleep and anything big that happened that day. Bringing that log to your doctor or therapist gives you both a clearer picture of what your body may be telling you. It’s also a starting point for care that addresses both the physical and emotional sides of pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can therapy help with chronic pain?

Yes. Psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation and mindfulness training, and biofeedback can reduce how much pain interferes with daily life, improve mood and strengthen coping skills.

How does cognitive behavioral therapy help with pain?

CBT helps people identify thoughts and behaviors that make pain feel worse, build coping strategies, pace activities, and regain a sense of control alongside medical treatment.

What is biofeedback?

Biofeedback uses sensors to show real-time information about body signals like muscle tension, heart rate or breathing, so you can learn to calm those responses and ease pain.

How are chronic pain and emotional health connected?

Living with ongoing pain often leads to stress, poor sleep, anxiety or depression, and those in turn can intensify pain. Treating both the body and mind tends to work best.

Where can I get psychological support for chronic pain?

Fox Valley Institute offers counseling for chronic pain and illness in Naperville and by telehealth across Illinois, in coordination with your medical care. Call (630) 718-0717 to get started.

Related reading:

Trauma and Chronic Pain

Safety After Trauma

Stress and Anxiety Disorders

Individual Therapy at Fox Valley Institute