The Pain-Fear Cycle

Chronic pain often continues because of fear. When we feel pain, we naturally start to worry, avoid activities, or assume something is wrong. That fear puts our nervous system on high alert and leads to increases in pain and the cycle repeats.

1. Pain triggers feelings of fear.

2. The fear puts the brain on high alert which causes more pain.

3. Which leads to more fear.

4. Which leads to more pain.

The brain begins to associate certain movements, emotions, or situations with danger, even if there’s no actual harm. Over time, this makes the pain feel stronger and more constant. Many of these avoidant behaviors and fears happen on a subconscious level. We are not always aware we fueling the pain-fear pathway with these habits.

Our goal is to intercept this cycle by teaching the brain that these sensations are safe, helping to calm the automatic fear response.

JOURNAL PROMPT

What worry or fear-based thoughts patterns have you fallen into automatically?