Attachment & Trauma Therapy to Treat Chronic Pain

Central sensitization, according to the Institute for Chronic Pain, is a condition where the nervous system gets regulated into a persistent state of high reactivity. This makes it easier for the brain and nervous system to continue perceiving pain after the initial injury has healed. Even a gentle touch or massage can be excruciatingly painful.

People with early trauma and/or breaks in attachment are more susceptible to the types of pain where there is no discernible damage to tissue or an obvious medical reason for the pain. Due to the mind-body connection, people with depression, anxiety, and multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are more likely to have chronic pain ailments, such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic migraine headaches, chronic tension headaches, chronic back pain, etc.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can include:

• Parental insults, belittling, humiliation and swearing

• Physical and/or sexual abuse

• Emotional and/or physical neglect

• Witnessing violence against mother

• Parental substance and/or alcohol abuse

• Parental mental illness or suicidality

• Incarceration of a family member

Studies have shown that therapy that incorporates EMDR shows promise as an effective treatment for chronic pain.