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Sub Acute Detox

PTSD and Chronic Pain:
Managing the Dual Burden of
Trauma and Discomfort

PTSD and chronic pain are often linked, leading to exacerbated symptoms.
Learn more about dual diagnosis and recovery here.

Table of Contents

Understanding PTSD and Its Effects on the Nervous System

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that develops after exposure to a traumatic event, such as physical or emotional abuse, accidents, combat, or natural disasters.

While it’s natural to experience stress after a traumatic event, people with PTSD find it difficult to recover over time.

Know that, if this sounds familiar to you, healing is possible. With the right support, you can reclaim a life you love.

PTSD and chronic pain

Common Symptoms of PTSD

While every individual’s PTSD symptoms will vary depending on their situation, length of trauma, and genetics, the following symptoms are some of the most common that people experience:

  • Intrusive Thoughts: These can include flashbacks, nightmares, and distressing memories that seem to play on repeat. People with PTSD often feel as if they are reliving the trauma, leading to significant emotional turmoil.
  • Avoidance Behaviors: These develop as a way to cope with the pain of those intrusive thoughts. Individuals may avoid specific places, people, or situations that remind them of the traumatic event. Over time, this avoidance can limit their ability to fully engage in life.
  • Negative Mood Changes: These are marked by feelings of guilt, fear, shame, or detachment. Individuals with PTSD often struggle to maintain relationships or experience a general loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
  • Hyperarousal: This leaves people feeling constantly on edge. They may have difficulty sleeping, startle easily, or experience intense irritability. These symptoms are not just exhausting – they actively interfere with the body’s ability to heal and recover.

Nearly 7-8% of the U.S. population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Without the right support, these symptoms can severely disrupt daily life, especially when chronic pain is also present in the same individual.1

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain often occurs without an identifiable cause and lasts for at least three months. Some of the most common chronic pain conditions include:2

  • Fibromyalgia: This is a common type of chronic pain condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal discomfort, fatigue, and heightened sensitivity to touch. Many people with fibromyalgia also report difficulty sleeping and concentrating, which compounds their pain.
  • Migraines: These are often linked to trauma or stress. Migraines can be debilitating, making it difficult for individuals to work or enjoy daily activities.
  • Lower Back Pain: This is one of the most common forms of chronic pain, especially among trauma survivors. Chronic back pain can limit mobility and diminish quality of life over time.
Chronic pain affects approximately 20% of adults globally, highlighting the importance of effective management strategies.3

Wellness and Recovery’s Commitment to You

Wellness and Recovery is a leading provider of mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in Michigan. We offer co-occurring programs for individuals struggling with PTSD and chronic pain, utilizing evidence-based therapies and holistic approaches to promote healing and recovery.

Our compassionate team provides individualized care in a safe and supportive environment, empowering you to reclaim your life and achieve lasting well-being.

How PTSD and Chronic Pain Interact

PTSD and chronic pain often affect each other in bidirectional ways, leading to potential co-occurring disorders in individuals. For example, trauma can heighten pain sensitivity, while chronic pain can trigger or worsen PTSD symptoms.4

Both PTSD and chronic pain share overlapping pathways in the nervous system in the following ways:5

  • Hypervigilance and Muscle Tension: Many individuals with PTSD remain in a constant state of heightened awareness, leading to muscle tension and eventual musculoskeletal pain. This constant strain on the body reinforces the pain cycle.
  • Stress-Induced Inflammation: The chronic stress often associated with PTSD leads to increased levels of inflammation in the body. This can worsen conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia, making pain more severe and harder to treat.
  • Disrupted Sleep Cycles: PTSD often causes insomnia or restless sleep, which weakens the body’s ability to repair itself. In turn, the lack of restorative sleep heightens pain sensitivity, creating a feedback loop that perpetuates discomfort.
Addressing both PTSD and chronic pain together is essential to breaking this harmful cycle.

The Impact of PTSD and Chronic Pain on Daily Life

Living with PTSD and chronic pain also takes a profound toll on both mental and physical well-being.
For example, emotional distress often accompanies these conditions. People may feel overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness, fear, or sadness, which can further hinder their ability to function in everyday life.

In some cases, individuals turn to substance misuse as a way to numb their pain, both physical and emotional. Unfortunately, this coping mechanism can lead to addiction and additional health complications, making comprehensive treatment even more important.

Importance of Holistic Treatment in Treating PTSD and Chronic Pain

Effective treatment for PTSD and chronic pain requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both physical and emotional health.

At Wellness and Recovery, we offer integrated programs that target the root causes of trauma and pain while promoting long-term healing.

Treatment Strategies at Wellness and Recovery

Our team at Wellness and Recovery is committed to your health and well-being. No matter if you’re struggling with PTSD, a substance use disorder, or a co-occurring chronic pain condition, we can help.
Some of the treatment options we provide include:
  • Medical Detox: This is a crucial first step for individuals managing substance misuse alongside co-occurring PTSD and chronic pain. We provide a safe, supportive environment for withdrawal that is closely supervised by our medical professionals to ensure safety and comfort.
  • Inpatient Treatment Program: Inpatient care goes a step further, providing structured, around-the-clock care in our supportive environment. Individuals receive structured support that focuses on stabilization and initiating the healing process.

Evidence-Based Therapies For PTSD and Chronic Pain

Our treatment approach also incorporates several evidence-based therapies designed to help individuals recover from trauma and manage co-occurring chronic pain effectively.

These include:6
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a cornerstone of our treatment approach. This therapy is often one of the most effective treatments for PTSD and helps individuals identify and change harmful thought patterns that perpetuate trauma and pain.
  • Trauma-focused therapy: This type of therapy helps individuals process traumatic memories in a safe and supportive setting and regain control over their lives.
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This is designed for those who struggle with emotional regulation. This therapy teaches skills to manage stress, handle emotional distress, and improve interpersonal relationships.

Holistic Therapies for Healing

In addition to traditional therapies, we offer holistic approaches that promote relaxation and reduce physical discomfort, such as:7
  • Mindfulness and Meditation: This reduces pain perception and improves emotional resilience. These practices encourage individuals to focus on the present moment, breaking the cycle of negative thoughts and physical tension.
  • Yoga and Breathing Exercises: Yoga helps regulate the nervous system and promotes flexibility and strength. These exercises also help clients regain a sense of balance and control.
  • Art Therapy: Art therapy uses the creative process of making art to improve mental and emotional health. It can be particularly helpful for individuals with chronic pain or PTSD, as it provides a non-verbal outlet for expressing emotions and processing trauma. 
Our comprehensive, holistic treatment program at Wellness and Recovery is designed to help you regain control and restore balance.

The Role of Personalized Care in Treating PTSD and Chronic Pain

Every individual’s journey is unique, and our personalized treatment plans reflect that.
Our boutique, small-community setting fosters close connections between staff and patients, ensuring personalized attention and support. With a high staff-to-patient ratio, everyone at our center receives the care and guidance they need to thrive.

Private Accommodations

Our facility also offers private accommodations to create a serene, comfortable environment conducive to healing and self-reflection. This way, individuals can heal in a calming and safe space.

Continuum of Care for Long-Term Success

Recovery is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing journey. At Wellness and Recovery, we offer a continuum of care to ensure you remain supported at every stage, especially as you transition from inpatient treatment to life beyond the facility.
These programs include:

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Our PHP provides intensive therapy and structured support while allowing individuals to return home in the evenings. This helps individuals gradually reintegrate into their daily routines.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

For those seeking flexibility, our IOP  offers therapy and support while enabling individuals to maintain work or family commitments.

Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Recovery doesn’t stop after treatment. Our aftercare services offer relapse prevention strategies and continued access to therapy and community resources.
Recovery is a journey that doesn’t end after treatment. Our continuum of care ensures you have the support you need every step of the way.
PTSD and chronic pain

Your Healing Journey Starts with Wellness and Recovery

At Wellness and Recovery, we believe true healing involves treating the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – rather than just managing symptoms. Our approach is rooted in compassion, evidence-based practices, and holistic care.
From the moment individuals arrive, they are welcomed into a nurturing environment designed to foster growth, connection, and recovery.
Our team of dedicated professionals is committed to helping every individual achieve lasting success. By addressing both co-occurring PTSD and chronic pain with an integrated approach, we empower clients to take back control of their lives and rediscover hope.

What Sets Us Apart?

Unlike larger treatment centers, Wellness and Recovery offers a serene and comfortable setting where individuals receive truly personalized attention. The intimate environment allows for meaningful connections between clients and staff, fostering trust and comfort during the recovery process.
Our peaceful, residential-style setting is designed to feel like a retreat, providing clients with the space and serenity they need to heal. The calming environment helps reduce external stressors, allowing clients to focus entirely on their recovery journey.

Individualized Attention and Support

We maintain a great staff-to-patient ratio, ensuring that every individual receives the time, attention, and support they deserve. This ratio allows our team to develop close relationships with patients, better understand their challenges, and provide highly personalized care.
Each individual has access to a multidisciplinary team that includes licensed therapists, medical professionals, holistic practitioners, and peer support staff. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of recovery – physical, emotional, and psychological – are addressed with care and expertise.

Evidence-Based and Alternative Therapies for PTSD and Chronic Pain

At Wellness and Recovery, we believe that combining evidence-based treatments with alternative therapies offers the best chance for long-term recovery. Our holistic approach focuses on healing the whole person by addressing both trauma and physical pain at their roots.

Evidence-based therapies, such as CBT and DBT, help clients develop healthier thought patterns, manage emotions, and process past trauma in a safe space.

We complement these therapies with holistic practices like yoga, mindfulness meditation, and art therapy. These techniques promote relaxation, reduce physical discomfort, and help clients reconnect with their bodies in positive, healing ways.

Continuum of Care and Aftercare Services for PTSD and Chronic Pain

Recovery doesn’t end when treatment is over. At Wellness and Recovery, we provide lifelong support through our comprehensive aftercare services and alumni programs. These resources help clients stay connected, continue their progress, and build on the foundation established during treatment.

For those seeking long-term support for co-occurring PTSD and chronic pain, our alumni program offers regular check-ins, peer support groups, and relapse prevention strategies. This sense of community provides clients with a network they can rely on for years to come.

Experience the Difference at Wellness and Recovery

With our unique combination of personalized care, holistic therapies, and continuous support, Wellness and Recovery is more than a treatment center – it’s a place where healing begins and lasting recovery takes root.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

You don’t have to manage PTSD and chronic pain alone. At Wellness and Recovery, we’re here to help you reclaim your life. Our compassionate team is ready to walk with you every step of the way.

Our team is also here to ensure you’re on the healing journey from mental health or substance use disorders. No matter what you need, we can help you recover.
Our admissions team is available to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Take the first step toward healing and start your journey to wellness today.

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