At the same time, stress, anxiety, poor sleep and emotional distress can affect how people experience and respond to pain. Acknowledging psychological influences does not mean pain is imagined — contemporary approaches to chronic pain recognise that pain is complex and can be influenced by biological, psychological and social factors.
For some people, psychological support becomes one component of a broader multidisciplinary approach that may also involve medical practitioners, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals. The goal may not always be eliminating every uncomfortable sensation — psychological therapy can also focus on improving functioning, reducing distress and helping people return to meaningful activities.