The Link Between Stress and Abdominal Pain

People who live with chronic stress may be at a much higher risk for stomach pain and digestive issues than those who are proactive about stress management.

At AABP Integrative Pain Care, our specialists offer customized treatment plans for abdominal pain that results from physical trauma, chronic disease, and stress-related complications.

Our highly skilled pain management physicians focus on nonsurgical therapies to ease your existing abdominal pain. They can also recommend strategies you can use to prevent new pain from occurring.

How stress leads to abdominal pain

You get butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous or anxious due to the strong connection between your brain and your gut.

When stressed out, hormones flood your body, and your brain releases neurotransmitters. These actions can alter the function of your intestines to move waste through your body faster. Your stomach muscles also contract, and you may experience stomach upset when stress changes the balance of your gut bacteria.

Chronic stress can lead to stomach pain that lasts longer than a few days. Being in a constant state of flight or fight can also cause:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Loose stools

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation with our AABP Integrative Pain Care Team if you have unexplained stomach pain. We can rule out underlying health issues affecting your gastrointestinal tract and suggest the treatments you need to manage stomach pain before it worsens.

Tips to prevent stress-related stomach pain

The most important first step is recognizing your stress triggers so you can plan to minimize or avoid them. If you’re feeling completely overwhelmed by stress, it may be a good idea to speak with a therapist who can address issues that negatively impact your physical, mental, and emotional health.

You can also start making lifestyle changes to lower stress and your risk for stress-related pain. Here are a few ways you can stay in control of your stress:

Get moving

Exercise is a great way to burn off energy and extra stress. If you work behind a desk or otherwise sit for long periods of time, make a point to walk around frequently and engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily to keep stress at bay.

Regular exercise is also important for good digestion and keeping your gastrointestinal tract healthy.

Practice mindful activities

Breathwork, meditation, and other calming activities can make managing stress easier.

When you start to feel overwhelmed, inhale deeply and then release the breath slowly. Repeat this several times to reset your nervous system.

Quit bad habits

If you tend to control your stress by using alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs, know that these habits can ultimately make things worse. They can also put you at increased risk for heart disease and other chronic diseases.

Limit or avoid alcohol and ask our team for resources if you need help quitting smoking or drug use.

Get on a sleep schedule

Sleep is important for overall wellness. Most adults need 7-9 hours of good quality sleep to function optimally.

Set a bedtime routine to ensure sufficient sleep if your sleep is inconsistent. You should go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, including on weekends. It’s also important that you avoid electronics, caffeine, and other stimulants that can interfere with your sleep cycle.

Call AABP Integrative Pain Care in Garden City or Brooklyn, New York, today if you’re struggling with stress-related abdominal pain, or book a consultation online to discuss your treatment options.