What is the connection between pain and emotional resilience?

In addition to treating the physical pain associated with pelvic conditions, patients also need support building resilience. Resilience refers to the patient’s ability to adapt or emotionally recover from physical pain. Living a fulfilling life in the face of chronic pain is difficult, providing resilience support can help.

According to a study published in 2021, Resilience in the face of pelvic pain: A pilot study in males and females affected by urologic chronic pelvic pain, researchers found a very poor resilience in urologic chronic pelvic pain (UCPP) patients.1 The study concludes that “in UCPP patients, low resilience appears as a crucial factor in the pain experience.”¹ This patient group may find it difficult to reach out and share their mental health needs while they are actively suffering from chronic pain.

According to Jill Miller in her book, Body by Breath: The Science and Practice of Physical and Emotional Resilience:

“Breathing is the number one go-to tool to increase your relaxation, health, embodiment, power and empowerment. Breathing with more awareness and intention triggers a cascade of positive developments, including: improved sleep quality, better digestion, along with decreased acid reflux and GERD, A dynamically strong core and postural control, supercharged recovery powers, relief from physical pain, emotional attunement with self and others, enhanced cognitive function”²

Use these tips to provide a whole-patient support program for those living with daily pain.

Resilience Tips for Patients with Chronic Pain:

Manage stress: Stress can impact both physical and mental wellbeing. Effective stress management should include healthy sleep patterns, engaging with physician-approved physical activities, and eating healthy.

Coach patients to adopt a constructive internal dialogue: While in the height of pain it can be difficult to be positive–it can help with resilience. For example, finding small wins, such as my pain level is better than when I started to provide a framework to acknowledge progress. Or, I started a new therapy today and I’m taking steps towards making my life better, instead of focusing on the discomfort.

Adopt a hobby: Hobbies can serve as a way to connect with others, and distract from pain. Those struggling with resilience should not isolate.

Join a support group: One of the best ways to cope with physical and emotional challenges is to share with a group of people who understand and are going through the same thing.

Consult with a mental health professional: A mental health professional can help patients deal with the mental and emotional components of their pain.

Chronic pelvic pain is especially challenging as for many patients it impacts everyday activities such as sitting, walking, standing, exercising, urinating, and with bowel movements. Browse our comprehensive library of pelvic pain resources to find out how to start the conversation about pelvic pain with your patients.

Additional Resources on Pain-Related Resilience:

• Resilience: A New Paradigm for Adaptation to Chronic Pain

• Coping with Chronic Pain

• Build Resilience to Cope with Arthritis

• Resilience in Chronic Pain Management

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8252554/ 

2 Miller, J., Cordoza, G., Santos, A., Juan, E. S., & Olimpo, C. (2023). In Body by breath: The science and practice of physical and emotional resilience (pp. 10–10). essay, Victory Belt Publishing. 

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