When Emotional Pain Becomes Physical: Exploring the Science of Heartbreak

Around February, we’re surrounded by messages of love and connection. But, for many, times like this can serve as a painful reminder of loss, heartbreak, or emotional distress.

The inverse can also be true – a patient in constant pain felt strong relief after a relationship ended, telling her Lin Health pain recovery coach: “I think I found the cause of my pain.” Grasping that emotional connection was eyeopening, and she continued with Lin’s treatment to resolve the remaining symptoms.

Groundbreaking research reveals heartbreak and grief don’t just affect the mind — they can manifest in the body.

“This is good news for a patient struggling with chronic pain, meaning their pain and discomfort is treatable and recovery is possible. Providers also have yet another analogy to explain the role of biopsychosocial factors underpinning the chronic pain experience,” noted Dr. Antje Barreveld, President-elect of the American Academy of Pain Medicine; Associate Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Pain Management, Director of Education & Outreach, Substance Use Services, Newton-Wellesley Hospital; and Board Certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Specialist, Commonwealth Anesthesia Associates.

In fact, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal notes that:

Using functional MRI, researchers showed brain regions typically associated with the affective and sensory aspects of physical pain are also activated in response to social rejection:

Delivering Better Care via the Latest Pain Science 

Helping patients understand the link between emotional and physical pain is key to unlocking better chronic pain outcomes, as nervous system-based approaches require a patient’s commitment to rethinking their pain experience.

“Empirical evidence tells us that emotional distress can result in and amplify chronic pain, making conditions like back pain, nerve pain, and migraines even more debilitating,” noted Dr. Barreveld. “We know the central nervous system plays a pivotal role: misfiring pain signals that are no longer helpful, thereby increasing inflammation and prolonging recovery. The good news is the nervous system can be rewired with a personalized, high-touch, cognitive approach.”

However, providers often face skepticism when offering a behavioral treatment for a condition that feels 100% physical.

“Providers aren’t in this alone and aren’t expected to be behavioral medicine or psychological experts,” shared Dr. Barreveld. “Pain management is a team sport. Just like diabetes care can require a nutritionist, exercise coach, or medication, chronic pain care should be looked at from a multi-disciplinary and multi-modal angle. For example, Lin Health’s model enables providers to operate at the top of their license to resolve structural concerns, while taking the psychological and social aspects of pain care off their plate.”

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Overcoming Skepticism of Neural Circuit Feedback 

“Many patients fear that cognitive pain treatment suggests their pain ‘isn’t real,’” noted Dr. Barreveld. “The truth is, the brain mediates all physical sensations the body feels and, thus, it’s capable of both generating and alleviating pain. So, yes, sometimes the pain is ‘all in your head’ in the absence of structural damage. But, just as we rehabilitate the body after injury, we can rehabilitate the brain’s response to pain to help patients achieve their daily goals.

“There’s also not one pill, injection, surgery, physical therapy strategy, or device that resolves all symptoms for all patients,” she added. “Further, many pain medications come with side effects or are not effective in alleviating pain – and many providers don’t know what else they can recommend.”

By combining evidence-based techniques like Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) and Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) that leverage pain neuroscience to help patients retrain their brains and reduce pain intensity, Lin Health curates the latest and most effective longitudinal treatments to help patients achieve true chronic pain recovery at scale.

For the 50% of Americans that live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area and the overworked providers striving to deliver effective chronic pain treatment, this tech-enabled, clinically integrated approach is critical to tackle the chronic pain epidemic.

Bridging the Gap: Making Pain Care Accessible & Affordable 

Barriers to cognitive chronic pain care remain a persistent challenge. “Patients I support often hesitate due to skepticism, lack of understanding about how these approaches work, and cost concerns,” noted Dr. Barreveld. In fact, KFF analysis finds 25% of U.S. adults postpone or skip needed healthcare due to cost.

“While living with chronic pain can be expensive, innovative care models like Lin Health are working to change that,” said Dr. Barreveld. Lin Health is actively partnering with insurers, health systems, and providers to integrate cognitive approaches into standard treatment plans, including offering affordable self-pay options and a money-back guarantee.

By streamlining referrals and offering flexible payment models, Lin Health aims to make these life-changing treatments more accessible. This includes partnerships with the following health plans to make Lin Health accessible to their members: 

In Closing

Dr. Barreveld says it best:

“It’s time to reshape the narrative around chronic pain being purely physical. The connection between emotional and physical suffering is real — but so is the hope for recovery. By embracing a multi-disciplinary, tech-enabled treatment adjunct, providers can help patients reclaim their lives by turning down the volume on pain and restoring well-being.

“One in five patients that providers encounter are living with the limitations of chronic pain. As a society and healthcare system, it’s our duty to patients to provide meaningful care that drives improvement by helping them understand that all persistent pain is treatable.”