Lawyer We-being

• Citation: Vol. 37 No. 5 Pg. 35
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 35

Lawyer We-Being Vol. 37 No. 5 Pg. 35 Utah Bar Journal September 2024

October 2024

The Mind-Body Connection: Understanding the Relationship Between Chronic Stress and Chronic Pain

by Martha Knudson

In the high-pressure world of law, unrelenting stress and pressure can feel like an inevitable part of the job. With long hours, tight deadlines, and high-stakes cases, it's easy to see how physical discomfort can creep in. But what if those aches and pains aren't just from sitting at a desk all day?

This article explores the concept that there may be more to physical pain than just the physical - highlighting how the stress of the practice of law can be internalized into our somatic selves. Through an understanding the mind-body connection and increased awareness of our body's signals, we can open new avenues for managing both chronic pain and chronic stress.

The Connection Between Chronic Stress and Chronic Pain

Prolonged stress can alter how our brains perceive and process pain. Bessel van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score (2015). When we experience stress, our bodies release stress hormones. In the short term, this can be beneficial, giving us energy to help us rise to the occasion. But if the stress response is prolonged, what was initially helpful becomes harmful, heightening our sensitivity to pain, causing us to feel discomfort more keenly, and triggering inflammation which can exacerbate pain in existing physical conditions. Id.; see Eva Selhub, Mindful Lawyering, The Best Lawyer You Can Be: A Guide to Spiritual...