Most people understand that too much stress can affect how they feel.
But fewer people realise that stress and pain can influence one another.
If you have been living with chronic pain, you may notice that your pain becomes worse during periods of pressure, poor sleep, emotional stress or exhaustion.
Likewise, living with pain every day can itself become an enormous source of stress.
This can create a difficult cycle.
At Purposeful Life, I meet people from Adelaide, Glen Osmond and Williamstown in the Barossa Valley who are experiencing chronic pain alongside stress, fatigue, poor sleep and other concerns.
Rather than assuming one thing is causing everything, I prefer to ask:
What could be contributing to the pain and what might be keeping the cycle going?
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain generally refers to pain that continues for at least three months or beyond the expected healing time.
There are many possible causes.
For example, chronic pain may occur with arthritis, back or neck problems, migraine, fibromyalgia, endometriosis and nerve damage.
Sometimes there is no obvious cause.
Importantly, chronic pain can involve changes in the nerves, brain and spinal cord involved in processing pain.
This means pain is not always a simple measure of tissue damage.
How Does Stress Affect Pain?
Stress activates several systems throughout the body.
These include the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis, commonly called the HPA axis.
Researchers have found associations between changes in these stress systems and pain sensitivity in people living with chronic primary pain.
For example, a 2026 systematic review found relationships involving cortisol, heart rate, heart rate variability and pain sensitivity.
However, the researchers also found considerable variation between studies. Therefore, the exact relationship between stress and chronic pain is still being investigated.
What we can say is that stress and pain can interact.
Stress, Cortisol and Inflammation
Cortisol is one of the hormones involved in the body’s stress response.
Short term stress and long term stress do not affect the body in exactly the same way.
Research suggests that prolonged stress can influence immune and inflammatory processes. Changes in glucocorticoid signalling may be one mechanism involved.
However, inflammation is not responsible for every type of chronic pain.
Therefore, I would not assume that high cortisol or inflammation explains someone’s pain without appropriate assessment.
The relationship is much more complex.
Muscle Tension and Pain
Stress can also change the way you hold your body.
You may notice your jaw clenching.
Your shoulders may tighten.
Perhaps you brace your abdomen or tense your back without even realising it.
When this happens repeatedly, muscle tension can add to discomfort.
However, ongoing pain may also make you tense your muscles in an attempt to protect the painful area.
So again, the relationship can work in both directions.
Stress may influence pain, while pain itself can increase stress and tension.
The Pain and Stress Cycle
This is where things can become difficult.
Imagine you are already living with pain.
The pain interferes with your sleep.
Poor sleep leaves you exhausted.
You begin worrying about whether you will be able to work, exercise or complete everyday activities.
As your stress increases, you may become less active, sleep even more poorly and notice your pain more intensely.
The pain then becomes another source of stress.
Research into chronic pain increasingly recognises these complex interactions rather than viewing pain as purely physical or purely psychological.
Does This Mean Chronic Pain Is Psychological?
No.
Pain is real.
Someone can experience significant pain even when scans or tests do not reveal a simple structural explanation.
Healthdirect explains that chronic pain may involve increased sensitivity in the nerves or changes in how the brain processes signals.
Psychological and emotional factors can influence pain, but that does not mean someone is imagining it.
Likewise, physical factors can influence emotional wellbeing.
The mind and body are not separate systems.
What About Trauma and Pain?
Trauma and difficult life experiences can influence stress responses and mental and physical wellbeing.
However, I would not describe trauma as being physically stored inside muscles, fascia or other tissues.
That language goes beyond what current evidence can establish.
Instead, previous experiences may influence how someone responds to stress, threat, emotions and physical sensations.
For some people, exploring those experiences can be an important part of their broader wellbeing.
For others, they may not be relevant at all.
The important thing is not to assume everyone’s chronic pain has an emotional or traumatic root.
Chronic Pain Usually Needs More Than One Approach
There is rarely one simple answer to persistent pain.
Australian guidance recommends an individual approach that may include physical activity, physiotherapy, psychological therapies, relaxation techniques, sleep improvement, pacing and medication where appropriate.
This is something I strongly agree with.
It is not about choosing between the body or the mind.
Instead, we can consider the different factors influencing someone’s experience.
What About PEMF?
PEMF has been investigated for several types of musculoskeletal pain.
For example, a systematic review of placebo controlled trials found short term improvements in pain, stiffness and physical function among people with osteoarthritis. However, the researchers noted that further studies were needed.
Importantly, research conducted using one PEMF device or protocol does not automatically demonstrate that every PEMF device will produce the same outcome.
Therefore, I offer PEMF and Terahertz at Purposeful Life as complementary wellness modalities, rather than treatments or cures for chronic pain.
Looking at the Whole Person
When someone experiencing chronic pain comes to Purposeful Life, I am interested in more than simply where it hurts.
I want to understand the bigger picture.
How are you sleeping?
How long have you been in pain?
What makes it worse?
What helps?
How much stress are you experiencing?
Are you exhausted?
How is your movement?
What medical care are you already receiving?
Depending on the individual, my wellbeing work may include:
Spinal Flow Technique™
A gentle, light touch approach used within my nervous system focused wellbeing work.
Breathwork
Practical breathing techniques that can support relaxation and self regulation.
NLP Coaching
Exploring thoughts, behaviours and patterns that may be affecting stress and wellbeing.
PEMF and Terahertz
Complementary frequency wellness modalities.
Metabolic Health Education
Exploring nutrition, lifestyle and metabolic wellbeing where appropriate.
It is not about using everything.
Instead, I want to understand what else may be happening alongside the pain.
Chronic Pain Support in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley
I work from two South Australian locations:
Abergeldie House, Glen Osmond
Williamstown, Barossa Valley
If you have been living with chronic pain, appropriate medical assessment remains important.
However, you may also choose to explore stress, sleep, nervous system wellbeing and other factors that could be influencing your overall experience.
Pain does not have to be either physical or emotional.
Often, the bigger picture matters.
Ready to Explore the Bigger Picture?
Learn more about my whole person approach at Purposeful Life or contact me if you are unsure where to begin.
Book a free discovery call to talk through what you are experiencing and whether this approach is right for you.
Call or text: 0481 877 860
Email: hello@purposefullife.com.au