Sleep Problems Could Be Key Driver of Chronic Pain, Australian Study Shows

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition for millions around the globe. However, new insights suggest that the relationship between pain and sleep may be more complex than previously thought. ​
Caldwell advocates for a greater emphasis on treating both pain and sleep issues, as substantial evidence links chronic pain with poor sleep quality.
“In my practice, I specifically ask if a patient’s pain leads to altered sleep behaviors,” Caldwell said. “If sleep is altered, a specific focus is made to improve nocturnal pain symptoms that will hopefully lead to more healthy sleep patterns,” he added.
The research will examine how the nervous and immune systems respond to both restorative and disrupted sleep. Participants will be awakened at varying times during the night, allowing researchers to gather comprehensive data on how different sleep stages impact recovery and pain levels.
“This will allow us to examine the most detailed and important information ever collected for this population outside of a laboratory and minimize disruption to participant’s day-to-day activities,” he added.
Patients who struggle with chronic pain and believe their sleep may be affecting their condition should discuss their concerns with their physician, Caldwell said.
“If chronic pain is altering sleep, it needs to be addressed directly,” he added. “We know that chronic pain and poor sleep are linked, but there are also clear correlations between altered sleep and general overall health.”
A treatment plan focusing on modalities to address chronic pain and sleep “needs to be developed between the patient and physician,” Caldwell noted.