Adverse childhood experiences linked to chronic pain in adulthood…

Male chiropractor receiving a history from a young female patient

As chiropractors, we need to explore psycho-emotional factors with some patients. This week we summarize a new paper linking childhood adversity with chronic pain in adulthood…

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined as traumatic experiences occurring before the age of 18, and include a variable combination of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, physical/emotional neglect, and familial/household dysfunction. Often referenced as a public health crisis, ACEs are known to be detrimental to adult mental and physical well-being, with lifetime consequences and detrimental social and health outcomes.

Chronic pain (CP) is characterized as pain persisting for more than three months, affecting approximately one-fifth of the global population. CP is commonly linked with diminished overall health and quality of life, alongside elevated healthcare utilization. This systematic review and narrative synthesis aimed to identify and elucidate the associations between any form of adverse childhood experience and various types of chronic pain in adults.

Related E-Seminars:
In my newest program: “Mastering the Biopsychosocial Approach: A Contemporary Lens for Chiropractors” – myself along with Dr. Demetry Assimakopoulos, Dr. Peter Stilwell (DC/PhD) and Dr. Kent Stuber (DC/PhD) delve into a practical application of contemporary biopsychosocial principles and techniques to help practicing chiropractors. Check it out HERE.

Psycho-emotional factors, including ACEs, are covered in more detail in the context of chronic pain phenoytpes in the 10-hour, on-demand program “All Aboard the Pain Train: A Chiropractor’s Guide to Chronic Pain” (presented by Dr. Demetry Assimakopoulos). Get it HERE.

RESEARCH REVIEW: Association Between Childhood Adversity and Subsequent Chronic Pain in Adulthood

This paper was published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia (BJA) Open (2023)

You can now purchase single Research Reviews for only $4.99 – Get access to this review here

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