{"id":3523,"date":"2026-08-18T12:19:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T10:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fysi.nl\/?p=3523"},"modified":"2026-10-02T12:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T10:20:09","slug":"why-chronic-pain-is-actually-real","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fysi.nl\/en\/blog\/waarom-chronische-pijn-wel-echt-is\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cIt\u2019s all in your head\u201d? Why chronic pain actually is real"},"content":{"rendered":"

People with chronic pain sometimes hear comments such as: \u201cThere is nothing to see\u201d<\/em> or \u201cMaybe it's all in your head.\u201d<\/em> That can make you feel frustrated and uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chronic pain is real. Even when no clear damage is visible on a scan or examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does chronic pain work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pain originates in the nervous system. With prolonged symptoms, this system can become more sensitive to stimuli. As a result, the body may send pain signals more quickly, even when no new damage is occurring. A non-painful stimulus can even be experienced as painful. This does not mean that you are imagining the pain. Your nervous system is simply reacting differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why emotions and stress have an impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Factors such as stress, sleep, tension, and fatigue can influence how pain is experienced. This does not mean that pain is \u201cpsychological,\u201d but rather that the body and brain work together in the perception of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role does physiotherapy play in this?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In physiotherapy, we look at the big picture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n