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How Chronic Pain Affects Mental Health In Older Adults

Chronic pain is a reality for many older adults. Unlike the temporary aches we all experience, chronic pain lasts for months or even years. It can result from conditions like arthritis, back problems, or nerve damage.

While the physical discomfort is hard enough, the mental toll of living with chronic pain is often underestimated. Research shows that chronic pain can have a deep impact on mental health, leading to issues like anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.

Living with constant pain is exhausting. It can make everyday tasks, like walking, cooking, or even getting out of bed, feel overwhelming. This loss of independence can chip away at self-esteem and lead to frustration or sadness.

Studies suggest that older adults with chronic pain are twice as likely to experience depression compared to those without pain. A 2019 study in The Journal of Pain found that the longer someone lives with pain, the more likely they are to report symptoms of depression, such as feelings of hopelessness or loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Anxiety is another common issue. The fear of worsening pain or being unable to cope with daily life can create a cycle of worry that's hard to break. For some, this anxiety is tied to the unpredictability of pain.

A study published in Pain Medicine in 2021 showed that older adults with fluctuating pain levels often felt more anxious than those whose pain was constant but stable. The anticipation of a sudden pain flare can make it hard to relax or enjoy life.

Chronic pain can also disrupt sleep, which plays a crucial role in mental health. Pain often makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, leaving people feeling tired and irritable. Poor sleep can worsen pain sensitivity, creating a vicious cycle that's hard to escape.

A study in Sleep Health in 2020 highlighted that older adults with chronic pain and poor sleep were at higher risk for both anxiety and depression, further emphasizing the connection between physical and mental health.

The social effects of chronic pain can also be significant. Many people with chronic pain reduce their activities, which can lead to isolation and loneliness. They may stop participating in hobbies, social gatherings, or even visiting family, fearing that their pain will hold them back.

This isolation can worsen mental health and lead to feelings of being disconnected from others. Research in Aging & Mental Health in 2018 found that older adults with chronic pain who felt socially isolated were more likely to experience severe depression compared to those who maintained strong social ties.

Despite these challenges, there are ways to manage both chronic pain and its mental health effects. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy, has been shown to help older adults reframe negative thoughts about pain and improve their mood.

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or gentle yoga, can also reduce the intensity of pain and help people cope better. Medications and physical therapies may ease pain levels, but they are often most effective when combined with mental health support.

In conclusion, chronic pain doesn't just affect the body—it has a profound impact on mental health, particularly for aging adults. Feelings of depression, anxiety, and loneliness often accompany the physical discomfort, creating a challenging cycle to break.

Recognizing the link between chronic pain and mental health is crucial for improving overall well-being. With the right combination of medical care, mental health support, and social connection, many older adults can find relief and regain a sense of control over their lives.

If you care about mental health, please read studies about 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.

For more health information, please see recent studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and results showing Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.

Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.

7 Things To Know About Rolfing If You Have Chronic Pain

Rolfing is a type of deep tissue manipulation that should only be practiced by trained professionals.

More than 30 percent of adults in the U.S. Are living with chronic or severe pain. If you're part of that statistic, you know how devastating living with severe or daily pain can be.

Treating chronic pain, defined as pain lasting 12 weeks or longer, depends on the underlying cause. For example, for musculoskeletal issues and inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications, ice, heat, and stretching can be beneficial.

For many people, taking prescription drugs long-term may not be the best option to treat pain. The good news is, there are other methods of managing chronic pain.

Different things work for different bodies and injuries: acupuncture, deep tissue massage, Epsom salt baths, anti-inflammatory diets, yoga, and more.

Rolfing Structural Integration is one technique people who live with daily pain might not have explored yet. Developed in the 1960s, Rolfing is increasing in popularity again in the alternative health community.

To understand how this method is helping people get relief from chronic pain, you'll need to an overview of Rolfing and how it's different from just getting a deep tissue massage.

According to Certified Advanced Rolfer Jenny Rock, Rolfing is a systematic and holistic method of manipulating the muscle and fascia to help the body return to structural balance in movement and gravity.

Once this happens, Rock says the body's natural mechanisms take over and finish the job of correcting these imbalances.

Makes sense, right? But how does the practitioner accomplish this?

"In a basic 10 series of Rolfing sessions, a Rolfing practitioner systematically addresses the places of strain, misalignment, and restricted motion that exist within the body pattern as a whole," explains Russell Stolzoff, Certified Advanced Rolfer and senior faculty member at the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration.

"Sometimes where you feel pain is a point of strain within a larger pattern," explains Stolzoff. That's why working with the whole pattern can help diminish pain that is maintained or kept in place by the strain.

How is Rolfing different than a deep tissue massage?

While Rolfing might feel similar to a very deep massage, Rolfing practitioners will massage the muscles and fascia not only where you're feeling pain, but all over your body. The goal is to fix your body's posture and structure so that your body will correct any lingering imbalances that are causing the pain.

"You should know that Rolfing can be an effective non-medical, non-drug method to address chronic neuromuscular pain," explains Stolzoff.

However, there've been limited studies on Rolfing's effectiveness. Two small studies in 2014 and 2015 and found that Rolfing can decrease pain levels for people with fibromyalgia and lower back pain, at least in the short term.

More recently, a case report from 2021 describes reduced chronic pain, increased mobility, and improvements in physical and psychological well-being following Rolfing treatments. Further research is needed to confirm these positive results.

"It took time to get into chronic pain, it will take some time to recover," explains Rock. Her advice: be patient.

A good rule of thumb, she says, is that for every year of pain, allow yourself one month of weekly sessions. Although Rock says you should notice improvements with every session.

It's also likely that you're going to need to make ongoing lifestyle changes to assist in maintaining and furthering the changes from Rolfing. "This may include ergonomics, footwear, pillows, yoga, nutrition, etc.," explains Rock.

Rolfing, especially for chronic pain, needs to be done by a certified and skilled practitioner. Rock suggests you find a Rolfer that you connect with since it's a very personal process.

And the best part? There's virtually no risk to trying Rolfing, and there are no side effects.

"I always tell my clients that it's an experiment," says Stolzoff. "If it works, then great. But if it doesn't, there is no harm done."

To find a certified Rolfer, visit the Rolf Institute's website.

Sara Lindberg, BS, MEd, is a freelance health and fitness writer. She holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science and a master's degree in counseling. She's spent her life educating people on the importance of health, wellness, mindset, and mental health. She specializes in the mind-body connection, with a focus on how our mental and emotional well-being impact our physical fitness and health.

Mental Defeat And Depression In Suicide Risk Among Chronic Pain Sufferers

Photo Credit: Tero Vesalainen

The following is a summary of "Mental Defeat Predicts Increased Suicide Risk in Chronic Pain: A 12-Month Prospective Study," published in the January 2025 issue of Pain by Themelis et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the role of mental defeat in predicting future suicide risk and to examine whether depression influenced this relationship.  

They included 340 participants with chronic pain who completed questionnaires at 2-time points, 12 months apart. Data collected consisted of sociodemographic and pain characteristics, mental defeat, psychosocial risk factors (including depression), and health-related variables. Weighted univariate and multivariable analyses evaluated the link between mental defeat and suicide risk, with a moderation analysis testing depression's role.  

The results showed higher levels of mental defeat and depression associated with an increased suicide risk at 12 months. Depression significantly enhanced the effect of mental defeat on suicide risk, especially in individuals with high depression levels (B = 0.06, SE = 0.01, t = 6.21, P < 0.001) compared to moderate (B = 0.05, SE = 0.01, t = 5.20, P < 0.001) or low depression levels (B = 0.04, SE = 0.01, t = 2.83, P = 0.004), indicating a dose–response effect.  

Investigators concluded the mental defeat and depression concurrently within treatment plans might be crucial for mitigating suicide risk in individuals experiencing chronic pain, given the significant role of mental defeat in exacerbating suicide risk, particularly in conjunction with depression. 

Source: onlinelibrary.Wiley.Com/doi/full/10.1002/ejp.4779

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