Many people who have fibromyalgia experience chronic pain that reduces their quality of life and can lead to depression, as well as other health issues. Researchers are looking at the connection between chronic psychosocial stress and pain in those who have fibromyalgia. What they are finding is that there is a link and that those who have fibromyalgia may find some pain relief by focusing more on doing activities that relieve stress.
In a study published in the March 2025 issue of the Brain, Behavior, & Immunity Health, researchers share their findings from a literature review to determine if chronic psychosocial distress induces pain (1). They focused on fibromyalgia, which has unknown etiological and pathophysiological mechanisms and for which no known therapy is considered satisfactory. They point out that the only etiological and aggravating factor is chronic psychosocial distress.
Fibromyalgia, as they state in the report, is a condition where the person has chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. The person has no underlying background damage condition, developing without tissue damage. Both depression and anxiety are often seen in those who have the condition. They report that fibromyalgia is the most common musculoskeletal chronic primary condition that does not have any causative factors beyond psychosocial distress and abnormal stress-coping capacities.
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The researchers conclude that there is a cycle that fibromyalgia patients experience. The stress induces chronic pain, which then triggers more stress and anxiety, along with depression. One creates the other, and it continues in a cycle.
Knowing that stress plays a significant role in inducing the pain people with fibromyalgia experience, it is wise to focus on learning to manage stress and reduce it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, self-care treatment for the condition includes managing stress, being physically active, and learning self-management skills (2).
In a prior study published in the journal Current Rheumatology Reports, researchers examined mindfulness meditation to determine if it would help fibromyalgia patients (3). The report states that mindfulness meditation engages in multiple mechanisms to reduce pain and that studies have revealed that meditators report lower levels of pain sensitivity and higher pain tolerance. While they report that mindfulness meditation helps with stress and pain reduction, they also note that additional mind-body interventions will do that, including yoga, massage therapy, and biofeedback.
This information brings hope to those who have fibromyalgia. By focusing on stress reduction in their lives, there is a good chance they may also help find some pain relief, which may also lead to an increase in quality of life.
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This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer, Director Pain Medicine Certificate.
References
1. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity Health. How does chronic psychosocial distress induce pain? Focus on neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity changes. March 2025.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fibromyalgia.
3. Current Rheumatology Reports. Mindfulness Meditation for Fibromyalgia: Mechanistic and Clinical Considerations. July 2017.
