Emotional pain causing physical pain?

[Athyrium]

I have had bad back and neck pain for years. I have had x rays and all clear. I have been seen by consultants and specialist physio with little success in reducing my pain. The consensus is that there is nothing physical wrong. I had a strange opinion years go from one consultant that I kind of dismissed at the time. But 5 years later someone else has just said it: that my pain is caused by me holding emotional trauma in my back. That the areas I have pain are typical for people with PTSD. Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Is there anything I could read up on? Having exhausted all other avenues I guess I ought to consider this one. If theres a way of not holding onto emotional trauma I'd love to know!

Have you tried acupuncture?

I suffered from ptsd and anxiety and seemingly held it all in my neck and shoulders to the point that I could hardly move my neck.

Acupuncture definitely worked for me.

Read The Body Keeps The Score, OP.

No expert knowledge - but I'm completely aware that emotional upset or trauma can cause me actual physical pain or other symptoms. I now actively try to avoid unpleasantly stressful situations.

Speak (again) to your GP - ask about psychotherapy.

In the meantime, although it won't take away the trauma, yoga might help you cope with the physical symptoms.

Luna and Butterer Would you believe I have that book and have never read it!!I must have bought it years ago when I wasnt very receptive to the idea! I'll dig it out.

Persephone - I have had years of counselling and psychotherapy and would say Im fairly resolved about stuff. Im not sure I could face dragging everything up again.

Thanks Troll...might well give it a go

Yes, emotions can cause physical pain - mine is located in the stomach (terrible cramps to the point of crying from the pain) and the chest area (tightness). You could try a psychologist - apparently schema therapy is good for this kind of stuff.

Or, try an occupational therapist who does pain management using a trauma informed approach.

Had great success with an OT, when back pain after a traffic accident, went on for years, and I got fed up of seeing my physio roll her eyes say that there was little more they could do.
The OT + Pilates and learning how to breathe (! yes really!) has kept me almost pain free for 5 years

Yes, apparently mental pain causes physical "outing". When I have a lot going on, I get awful stomach pains. To the point where I can't sleep or eat or drink for days. Once the phase passes, normally after 4-5 days, I can literally sleep for 24h and only wake for bathroom and kitchen! I have been to hospital, week at the time, personal record 11 times in one year. Done gastric camera etc. Doctors couldn't understand what was going on. Through an absolute chance my mum met a woman specialising to mental health issues - my mum didn't know that- and I was in hospital that time. They met in a local village hall where they had weekly like Zuma class thing. Anyway. Next day my mum and dad came to visit me and that Doctor walked through the door - my mum was like OMG, didn't know you was working here etc. So I spoke to that doctor once my parents left and due to no fault of my parents, we had troublesome household. And Doctor said I had PTSD. And the stomach pain is nothing but mental load unravelling itself. Things have gotten better over the years and I'm mostly good, but Time to time, when lots going on, stomach pains return.

I also know someone who I spoke to about my stomach aches and she said she gets shoulder pain when she is stressed.

Our mind/body/soul are all connected.