Stress, Sleep, and Pain: Understanding the Nervous System's Role in Healing

Pain, sleep disturbance and chronic stress are rarely isolated issues. Clinically, they often form a reinforcing cycle driven by the nervous system.
When the body stays in a prolonged stress response, the autonomic nervous system favours a heightened state of alertness. This may lead to:
- persistent muscle tension
- increased sensitivity to pain
- disrupted sleep
- a reduced capacity for tissue repair
Even after the original irritation has settled, the nervous system may continue to amplify discomfort.



