When Pain Echoes Trauma:

Exploring the link between Chronic Pain and Trauma

“People who experience trauma are three times more likely to develop Chronic Pain” (McKernan et al, 2019)
Chronic Pain is a complex condition, adding to that complexity, evidence is showing that it often echoes history of trauma . Massage professionals like ourselves who often see clients with persistant pain,  need to listen to that echo and understand how it influence the person in front of us , to provide safe and effective support.

This webinar explores the growing body of research that links trauma to the development of Chronic Pain conditions, including Fibromyalgia. We learn what defines trauma and how our various systems respond to it, to then discuss why some sufferers experience touch, body awareness, and reality differently.

Trauma and Chronic Pain Disrupt Perception of Reality

Trauma profoundly impacts the body, brain, and a person’s overall sense of reality. It disrupts the nervous system, alters body awareness, and distorts sensory perception, processing, and integration. During this session, I will review emerging evidence from neuroscience and psychology that connects these changes to the development of Chronic Pain. At the same time, I will highlight how this evidence provides us with exciting new insights on the influence of Touch and Massage.

Building on this evidence, we will discuss how massage and touch, as somatosensory approaches, can be thoughtfully integrated into treatment to support individuals with chronic pain. Additionally, we will explore the importance of using these strategies with care. Both trauma and chronic pain are highly complex, and failing to approach them with respect risks reinforcing dysregulation and hindering healing.

Theory to Practice

By attending this webinar, you will:

– Learn about the neurophysiological link between Trauma and Chronic Pain

– Understand the ways trauma disrupts somatosensory perception and dysregulate the nervous system

– Gain clinical insights on how massage and touch can support our clients with Chronic Pain

– Look critically at “trauma-informed” approaches in our field and be able to clearly define your scope of practice.

To get the most out of this webinar, we recommend that you attend or listen to the recordings of another of our webinars titled The Science Behind Touch so you get out of speed with current knowledge on Touch, Affective touch, and Mechanisms of Massage. Click here for the Touch Webinar