Stress & Pain: Understanding and Regulating the Nervous System

Living with persistent pain can be stressful. At the same time, stress itself can increase pain sensitivity. Research shows that pain and stress share many of the same biological, psychological, and social pathways, which means they often influence each other in a cycle.

This group medical visit explores how stress affects the nervous system and how nervous system activation can influence pain levels, muscle tension, sleep, and overall well-being.

During this session, you will learn how the body responds to stress through systems such as the sympathetic nervous system and the body’s stress hormone system. When these systems remain activated for long periods of time, the nervous system can become more sensitive, which may contribute to pain flare-ups and increased physical tension. 

A key goal of this session is to help you recognize early signs of stress and understand how stress may be showing up in your body, thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

You will also be introduced to practical strategies that can help regulate the nervous system and reduce the impact of stress on pain, including:

• simple breathing techniques that support nervous system calming

• building daily routines that support stability and recovery

• cognitive strategies to help shift unhelpful thought patterns

The session includes brief education, guided practice, and opportunities for reflection and discussion. You will leave with simple tools you can begin using in your daily life to support nervous system regulation and resilience.

This session is appropriate for individuals living with persistent pain who would like to better understand the connection between stress and pain and develop practical skills to help manage both.

This session is led by Jennifer Lei (occupational therapist) & Dr. Noah Alexander.

Current patients can book here.