Knee pain and mental health: How do stress, anxiety, and chronic pain relate?

Knee pain can become chronic for some people. There are many causes and factors that lead to knee pain. However, the most overlooked factor is mental health. Speaking on this in an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Ashish Chowdhary, Managing Director and Head of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Aakash Healthcare Pvt Ltd, said, “Psychological stress not only affects physical and mental health, but is also a risk factor for chronic knee pain (CKP), which can impair quality of life and cause dysfunction leading to loss of independence. While people can handle temporary stress, which is a natural part of daily life, prolonged stress can alter a person’s neuroendocrine system, leading to chronic pain.”

Also read: Can walking relieve knee pain? Doctor says

Anxiety and chronic knee pain: What’s the connection?

Dr. Ashish Chaudhary said, “Anxiety can worsen chronic pain in several ways. First, stress can actually increase the experience of pain because it alters brain chemistry in such a way that the body’s pain threshold may be lowered. Second, excessive worry about the pain threshold can lead to decreased movement and activity. This results in a number of physical disorders and muscle weakness, often making pain worse. Third, anxiety causes the body’s nervous system to become tense. This leads to physical changes, including blood vessel contraction. This can worsen a variety of chronic pain conditions over time by causing muscle tension and spasm.”

Also read: Knee injury: Most common types of knee injuries and tips to prevent them

Tips for focusing on couple health to support mental health:

mindfulness: Exercises that integrate both physical and mental health, including tai chi and yoga. These exercises can increase joint flexibility, attention, and stress reduction.

healthy lifestyle choicesYou can keep your joints healthy and your stress levels low by making lifestyle changes, such as achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, quitting or not smoking, and developing an exercise routine that you can follow long term.

Go to therapyIf you feel your stress, anxiety or depression is preventing you from exercising regularly, talk to a therapist or close friend. A simple walk with friends that promotes mental health can benefit both your physical and emotional health.

Also read: Try these tips before your knees go weak!