Why Your Mind and Spirit Matter in Chronic Pain
Pain patients are often confronted with treatment options that don’t fit their needs. When seeking medical care for chronic pain, very rarely do clinicians consider the whole person: their mind, body, and spirit. As a condition that affects the whole person—physically, mentally, socially—effective treatments should incorporate all aspects of the patient.
Navigating the complex world of chronic pain can be challenging, especially when faced with a large amount of information that may be incomplete, uncertain, or even biased. Clinicians often find themselves in a difficult position, knowing that their treatment choices might be based on opinion rather than solid evidence. This knowledge gap is further worsened by the massive volume of biomedical research published each year, which is difficult to keep up with, digest, and apply, and includes a small portion which may not be entirely clinically relevant.
The Challenge of Understanding Chronic Pain
While pain is universally acknowledged as a sensory and emotional experience, its chronic form presents a distinct challenge. Acute pain functions as a protective mechanism, indicating actual or potential tissue damage. In contrast, chronic pain often endures well beyond the healing of the initial injury and may mirror deeper, unresolved psychological and unconscious conflicts.
The definition of pain, as outlined by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), emphasizes this duality by describing it as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.” Nevertheless, traditional pain research has frequently concentrated on the purely biological aspects, neglecting the vital influence of a patient’s personality and their most profound psychological layers.
The Psychological Dimension of Chronic Pain
The history of psychoanalysis provides valuable insights into this oversight. Early theories, such as Freud’s, emphasized the biological and psychological aspects, as well as the importance of the unconscious.
However, a rigid and incomplete defence of his work led to the marginalization of equally essential perspectives, such as Carl Jung’s. Jung’s focus on spiritual identity, the collective unconscious, and archetypes was largely overlooked. This offers a crucial lesson for pain studies: an overreliance on a single, incomplete theory can impede progress and block the development of a more comprehensive understanding.
Similarly, in pain research, the intense focus on biological explanations has slowed the development of more holistic models. Consequently, many patients have been treated solely on a physical level, with their psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs largely neglected.
Towards a More Integrated Approach: Incorporating the Mind & Spirit into Chronic Pain Treatment
The shortcomings in pain research and treatment highlight a fundamental truth: a theory without logical support, sufficient evidence, or thorough presentation not only fails itself but also hampers the development of other valuable ideas.
To truly understand chronic pain and build resilience, we must consider a variety of perspectives. By integrating biological, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions, we can move beyond dogmatic or one-sided views. Just as ignoring complementary theories slowed progress in psychoanalysis, neglecting the whole human experience of pain prevents us from developing effective and integrated models for patient care.
Embracing this holistic approach is not just a theoretical exercise; it is a practical necessity for providing comprehensive and compassionate care to those suffering from chronic pain.
Learn More About Holistic Approaches to Chronic Pain
The I-Engage Academy offers free eLearning resources that aim to consider the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Find self-guided courses ranging in topics from Supporting Your Mental Health to Nutrition. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to chronic pain, so our resource page offers several topics for you to explore.
