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Psychosomatic pain in children: a psychomuscular tension reaction?

G Alfvén1, R G Alfvén

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

European Journal of Pain (London, England)
|January 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric psychosomatic pain may involve reduced pain thresholds and lower oxytocin and cortisol levels. Stress may trigger muscular tension and pain via hypothalamic regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Pain Research

Background:

  • Recurrent psychosomatic pain is a common yet poorly understood pediatric condition.
  • Existing research highlights the need for a clearer understanding of its underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the clinical picture of pediatric psychosomatic pain.
  • To discuss the concept and underlying mechanisms of psychosomatic pain.
  • To propose a model for psychosomatic pain reaction.

Main Methods:

  • A controlled blind study assessing pain pressure thresholds in children.
  • Measurement of hypothalamic hormone (oxytocin) and cortisol concentrations.
  • Development of a theoretical model for psychosomatic pain.

Main Results:

  • Children with psychosomatic pain exhibited significantly reduced pain pressure thresholds in common pain areas.
  • These children showed significantly lower concentrations of oxytocin and cortisol.
  • A model was proposed where stress-induced muscular tension triggers nociceptive processes.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced pain thresholds and altered hormone levels are associated with pediatric psychosomatic pain.
  • The hypothalamus plays a central regulatory role in psychosomatic pain reactions.
  • Stress-induced muscular tension is a potential key factor in the development of psychosomatic pain.

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