Psychological trauma can contribute to hyper-arousal of the nervous system. It has been scientifically established that many sufferers of chronic medical conditions experienced trauma in their early lives which has resulted in chronically overactive nervous systems laying the groundwork for chronic pain and other chronic medical conditions. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that psychological trauma, including physical and sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and the loss of a parent is associated with poor physical health. People who have experienced traumatic events in their lives have higher rates of a wide range of serious and life-threatening chronic illnesses including chronic pain, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes, digestive disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis) and cancer among others than the general population. This helps to explain why medical treatments alone often fail in bringing adequate relief from chronic conditions.

Researchers have discovered that traumatic events can not only dysregulate the nervous system but also the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Simply put, trauma alters nervous system and hormonal functioning. Research from the field of psychoneuroimmunology suggests that traumatic life events can lead to health problems through dysregulation of another key system i.e., the inflammatory response. This can result in chronic inflammation. Inflammation can contribute to a variety of chronic health conditions. As a result of the above findings it can be critical that psychotherapy is incorporated into a multifaceted treatment protocol that may include physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, nutritional guidance, along with medical management.

Psychotherapists who are informed about chronic medical conditions can aid in reducing nervous system overactivity/sensitivity by addressing stress, anxiety and early trauma which complicate symptoms and render medical treatments less effective. Depression is also common among people who suffer from chronic conditions and depression can also exacerbate medical symptoms. Depression is associated with having a chronic condition and also with early trauma. Psychotherapy can reduce the impact of emotional stress on chronic conditions as well as assist suffers in adjusting to and adapting to their symptoms. This can empower pain sufferers to take a more active role in the management of their symptoms.