Psychosomatic Pain and Pain Management

Psychosomatic pain is a pain disorder that is induced by excessive stress or mental issues. The pain originates from an issue in the psyche—such as depression, anxiety or different levels of stress—and then spreads to the muscular skeletal system of your body. Although inclusion of the word “Psych” implies that the pain is in your mind, this is not the case. Psychosomatic pain is very real and often debilitating. Although the pain is felt physically, it stems from emotions that may be disassociated from your consciousness.

Types of psychosomatic pain include:

• Headaches
• Stomach aches
• Muscle pain
• Back pain

How to Diagnose Psychosomatic Pain

Since it originates in the psyche, psychosomatic pain can be difficult at first to diagnose. Diagnosing psychosomatic pain requires that all other possible causes be eliminated first.

Treatment of Psychosomatic Pain

Once diagnosed, traditional medicine practices will usually provide treatment that includes antidepressants, psychotherapy, painkillers or relaxation techniques. Psychosomatic pain disorders usually respond best when treated with both medical and mental health treatments.

Some pain specialists seek to focus on the underlying causes of pain, rather than just masking the symptoms with medications. This is the most effective treatment plan for psychosomatic pain since the underlying cause isn’t physical. Pain specialists like Dr. Kerendian will work to create an individual treatment plan for your pain disorder. Treatment will be a comprehensive approach and may include:

• Trigger point injections
• IV therapy
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment
• Nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals

It is also important to make sure you are taking care of yourself by:

• Getting enough sleep
• Following a healthy diet
• Practicing stress management techniques

Self-care is a critical part of any pain treatment. Your body responds to its environment and lifestyle. So in order to feel well, you must treat yourself well in both mind and body.