Pain and Depression
Your pain may not be coming entirely from your injury.
After breaking my thumb during a Krav Maga class, the bone healed, my strength returned, and my motion came back. Yet I still experienced pain during certain activities, especially when I was stressed, frustrated, or feeling down.
That experience led me down a rabbit hole of pain science and helped me better understand the relationship between chronic pain, depression, and the nervous system.
In my latest Substack article, I discuss:
• The difference between acute and chronic pain
• How chronic pain can sensitize the nervous system
• Why depression can amplify pain signals
• Evidence-based strategies to help calm an overprotective nervous system
If you’ve ever wondered why your pain seems worse during stressful periods of life, this article is for you.
Read the full article on my Substack and visit movementmentor.net for additional resources designed to help you stay active despite pain.
🔗 Link in bio.
#ChronicPain #PainScience #MentalHealth #DepressionAwareness #movementmentor
✅ @movement__mentor provides movement and training guidance for active adults starting to notice new aches and pains who still want to keep doing what they love. Informed by my background as a physical therapist and strength coach. Content is for general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice or physical therapy.
From my personal experience, the persistence of pain even after an injury has healed can be baffling and frustrating. It’s common to think pain should disappear completely once the physical damage is repaired, but the reality is often more complex due to the nervous system’s role and emotional factors like depression. When I recovered from a broken thumb sustained during Krav Maga training, the lingering discomfort during stress made me dive deeper into pain science. What I found is that chronic pain can 'sensitize' the nervous system — essentially making it more reactive even when the original injury is no longer the cause. This heightened sensitivity means that emotions such as anxiety, frustration, and depression can increase the perception of pain, sometimes disproportionally to any physical cause. Understanding this mind-body connection helped me adopt practical approaches to manage my pain better. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, controlled breathing exercises, and progressive movement helped calm my nervous system. These strategies do not just target the physical sensation but also reduce the emotional amplification of pain, which is crucial during stressful periods. Additionally, staying active with modified exercises tailored to avoid aggravating the pain helped me maintain strength and mobility. I realized that avoiding movement due to fear of pain could worsen the situation by increasing stiffness and weakening muscles, which often prolongs recovery. For others experiencing similar challenges, seeking guidance from physical therapists or coaches who understand the interplay between chronic pain and mental health can be transformative. Addressing both physical and psychological aspects creates a holistic plan for pain management and improved quality of life. The journey through chronic pain is highly individual, but gaining knowledge about how depression and stress impact pain can empower individuals to take control and find relief. Exploring resources such as movementmentor.net or educational articles on pain science can provide further insights and support for those facing these challenges.
