Australian Study Reveals Sleep Problems as Major Contributor to Chronic Pain

November 12, 2024 TruthUSA

New research indicates that poor sleep quality could play a significant role in the development of chronic pain, affecting as many as 90 percent of individuals with chronic pain.

Chronic pain is a widespread and debilitating condition globally. Recent insights suggest that the connection between pain and sleep is more intricate than previously assumed.

According to David Klyne, a scientist at The University of Queensland in Australia (UQ), chronic pain patients, up to 90 percent of them, also struggle with sleep issues. This underscores the importance of quality sleep in managing and potentially preventing ongoing discomfort.

Contrary to the belief that pain disrupts sleep, research at the UQ School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences challenges this notion by suggesting that poor sleep could be a critical factor in the onset and exacerbation of chronic pain.

Poor Sleep Linked to Pain Onset

Klyne’s research indicates that inadequate sleep may lead to chronic pain rather than being solely a consequence of it. The study highlights the essential role that sleep plays in the experience of pain, with up to 90 percent of chronic pain patients also experiencing sleep problems.

Expert Opinions on Sleep-Pain Connection

Between 67 and 88 percent of individuals with chronic pain experience sleep disruptions and insomnia, while about 50 percent of individuals with insomnia report chronic pain, according to Dr. William Caldwell, medical director of the Center for Pain Management at Stony Brook Medicine.

Caldwell recommends focusing on treating both pain and sleep issues, as substantial evidence links chronic pain to poor sleep quality.

In clinical practice, Caldwell specifically addresses any altered sleep behaviors related to pain in patients to improve their nocturnal pain symptoms and potentially enhance their sleep patterns.

Klyne’s previous research has shown a strong link between sleep and pain recovery, with better sleep potentially speeding up healing in individuals recovering from injuries. The lack of sleep may strain the nervous and immune systems, worsening pain and potentially leading to chronic conditions.

Chronic pain causes more disability worldwide than cancer and heart disease combined. Despite this, sleep has often been overlooked as a treatment for pain, according to Klyne, who hopes his research can change this perspective.

Klyne’s team is currently enrolling participants for clinical trials targeting individuals aged 18 and older who have experienced back pain for at least two days within a two-week period.

Klyne and his team aim to investigate how sleep impacts pain by monitoring participants’ sleep patterns, collecting blood and saliva samples, and studying hormonal and immune responses. This study will focus on individuals who experience fluctuating symptoms related to chronic back pain.

The research will analyze how the nervous and immune systems respond to both restorative and disrupted sleep, with participants being awakened at different intervals during the night for comprehensive data collection on how different sleep stages affect recovery and pain levels.

“This study will provide the most detailed and critical data ever collected for this population outside of a laboratory setting while minimizing disruption to participants’ daily routines,” Klyne explained.

This research aligns with Klyne’s broader work on how lifestyle factors impact pain, which could be crucial in developing effective treatments.

Implications for Chronic Pain Treatment

If Klyne’s findings are validated, they could lead to changes in the approach to treating chronic pain, highlighting the importance of incorporating sleep therapy alongside traditional pain management techniques. Recognizing sleep as a crucial component of treatment may also help prevent the progression from acute pain to potentially disabling chronic pain.

Individuals struggling with chronic pain and suspecting that their sleep may be affecting their condition should discuss their concerns with their healthcare provider, according to Caldwell.

“If chronic pain is impacting sleep, it must be addressed directly,” Caldwell emphasized. “While the link between chronic pain and poor sleep is known, there are clear associations between disrupted sleep and overall health.”

Caldwell stressed the need for a treatment plan that addresses chronic pain and sleep issues collaboratively between patients and physicians.

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