Topic
Stress, the Nervous System and Pain
Stress and persistent pain can feed into each other through the nervous system. This article explains the stress response, how a prolonged stress response can be accompanied by more intense pain, and practical strategies such as slow breathing, relaxation and movement that can help settle it.
Assest ID
PSY-002
Learning outcomes
Discusson Prompts
What situations tend to increase your stress levels?
How do you notice stress affecting your body?
Which stress-management strategies have worked well for you in the past?
What signs tell you that your nervous system is becoming overloaded?
Which calming strategy would you like to practise more consistently?
Suggested Resources
SLP-004 – Relaxation Techniques for Sleep and Pain Management
PSY-003 – Grief, Loss and Emotional Adjustment
Pain Pal – Stress and the nervous system
Knowledge Base Text
Have you noticed your pain getting worse during a stressful week, after a poor night’s sleep, or when you are feeling anxious? You are not imagining it.
Stress and persistent pain are closely connected, and both involve the nervous system. When you face a demanding situation or a noxious stimulus, the body's stress response systems become active. This is a normal short-term response, but when it stays active for long periods, it can be accompanied by more intense pain. This is why managing stress is an important part of pain management.
The fight-or-flight response
When the stress response is triggered, the body automatically prepares to react. This is the fight-or-flight response, and during it:
your heart rate increases
your muscles tighten
your breathing speeds up
stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released
These changes happen quickly in an emergency. When pain persists, the stress response can stay active for long periods, and these changes can continue well beyond the original situation.
How stress influences pain
Persistent pain can itself become a source of stress, and over time the two begin to reinforce each other. Stress can increase muscle tension, make the nervous system more sensitive, disrupt sleep, reduce concentration, increase fatigue, and make pain feel more intense.
The result is a cycle: stress increases pain, and pain increases stress. The encouraging news is that this cycle can be interrupted.
Stress and the “gate”
Nociceptive information travelling from the body does not simply pass straight to the brain. As Gate Control Theory describes (see the Understanding Gate Control Theory article), it is influenced by many physical, emotional and psychological factors along the way. This helps explain why the same stimulus can be accompanied by very different pain-experiences.
Stress, fear, anxiety and constant focus on pain can “open” the “gate”, so that more nociceptive information is passed on. Relaxation, movement, positive experiences, feeling safe and having a sense of control can help “close” it and lessen pain's impact. This is why stress management is an evidence-based pain strategy.
Calming the nervous system
The nervous system can become calmer and more flexible over time. Helpful strategies include slow diaphragmatic breathing (breathing gently from the belly rather than the upper chest), mindfulness practice, progressive muscle relaxation, regular physical activity, enjoyable hobbies, social connection, good sleep habits and time in nature.
These activities can help settle ongoing activation of the stress response. Small changes, practised consistently, often produce meaningful improvements over time.
Think of a recent stressful period. Did your pain shift alongside it? Which one calming strategy from the list feels most realistic to build into your week?
KEY TAKEAWAY
Stress and persistent pain influence each other through the nervous system, and a prolonged stress response can heighten pain intensity. Learning to regulate your nervous system with small, consistent strategies is a genuine, evidence-based part of pain management.