Physical Pain

Did You Know Stress Can Cause Physical Pain?

Sometimes, the pain you’re experiencing isn’t caused by a physical issue—it’s caused by stress. This is known as psychosomatic pain, where psychological stress triggers physical symptoms.

Think about a time when you received really bad news and suddenly lost your appetite. What happened to your hunger? The body instantly responded to the stress your brain was processing. Or imagine watching a scary scene in a movie and holding your breath without realizing it—your body reacting automatically to an emotional experience.

The brain is the control center for the entire body. Just like when you stub your toe, it takes a fraction of a second for the pain signal to travel from your toe to your brain and back again. Emotional pain can work the same way—causing physical symptoms as part of the brain’s response.

Why does this happen? There are theories, and I’d like to share one with you:

Let’s say you stub your toe badly but refuse to focus on the pain. Your brain doesn’t just ignore it—it has a built-in mission to protect you from further injury, and pain is a key part of that system. If you suppress or ignore the pain, your brain might amplify it or shift it elsewhere to make sure you address it. Think of a clogged drain: the water needs to escape, so it finds another route.

Now, apply this to emotional pain. If someone has overwhelming emotional stress but is resilient enough to keep going without fully addressing it, the brain doesn’t just let that pain disappear. If the emotional “drain” is clogged, the brain might create physical symptoms—chronic pain, headaches, or other ailments—to force the issue to the surface.

In my work as a therapist, I often meet clients struggling with chronic pain that medical professionals have ruled out as having a physical cause. Once we address the underlying stress or emotional issues, the pain frequently diminishes or disappears entirely.

If you’re experiencing unexplained pain, it might be worth exploring the possibility that stress is at the root. Your body and mind are deeply connected, and healing often requires addressing both.