Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Pain, including recurring headaches, migraines and ongoing muscle or body aches, can affect children and teenagers just as much as adults. When pain keeps coming back or lasts for a long time, it can interfere with school, sleep, friendships, sport and other activities they enjoy.
Pain is real, even when medical tests don’t reveal a clear cause. Physical factors, stress, emotions, sleep and activity levels can all influence how pain is experienced. This doesn’t mean the pain is imaginary or that a child is causing it.
Treatment for pain disorders in children and teenagers may involve a combination of medical care, physical strategies and psychological support. A psychologist can help young people understand their pain, develop coping skills and feel more confident managing everyday life.
Persistent pain can look different from one child to another. Some common signs include:
Recurring headaches or migraines that interfere with school or daily activities.
Ongoing aches and pains that persist for weeks or months.
Missing school or social activities because of pain or worries about experiencing it.
Changes in sleep or energy levels, including difficulty falling asleep or feeling tired during the day.
Increased worry or distress about pain, particularly when it is difficult to predict.
Changes in mood or behaviour, such as irritability, frustration or withdrawing from activities they once enjoyed.
Avoiding movement or exercise because of concerns that it might make the pain worse.
Pain is real, even when tests are normal. A lack of a clear medical explanation doesn’t mean a child isn’t experiencing genuine pain.
Stress can influence pain. Worry, tension and poor sleep can affect how intensely pain is experienced, without being its sole cause.
Pain can affect more than physical health. Ongoing headaches and other pain can influence a young person’s mood, friendships, school attendance and confidence.
Psychological support can help. Learning practical coping strategies may help children and teenagers manage distress and participate more comfortably in everyday activities.
Ongoing pain is common in children and teenagers. Recurring headaches, migraines, tummy pain and muscle or joint pain are among the most frequent types. The pain is real, even when tests and scans come back normal, and it can affect sleep, school attendance, sport and friendships.
Research now shows that pain is shaped by both the body and the brain. Stress, worry, poor sleep and low mood can turn the volume up on pain, while feeling calm, confident and in control can help turn it down. That is why psychological support is a recognised part of care for children with ongoing pain, alongside their GP or paediatrician.
A Cochrane review (Fisher and colleagues, 2018) brought together 47 studies with nearly 2,900 children and teenagers, with an average age of about 12. It looked at face-to-face psychological therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), relaxation training, coping skills training and biofeedback.
The review rated the quality of the evidence as low, so more research is needed. Even so, the findings suggest psychological therapy can help children cope better and get back to the things they enjoy.
Medical assessment comes first, so start with your GP or paediatrician. Alongside medical care, psychological support can help children and teenagers manage pain and take part more fully in everyday life.
*Source: Psychological therapies for the management of chronic and recurrent pain in children and adolescents – Cochrane (2018)
Record when the pain occurs, how long it lasts, its intensity, sleep patterns and any possible triggers. This information can help your GP identify patterns and guide treatment.
Encourage consistent sleep and wake times, regular meals, adequate hydration and age-appropriate physical activity. These everyday habits can support general wellbeing and may help some young people manage headaches.
Slow breathing, guided relaxation and mindfulness can help your child manage tension and distress when pain occurs. Try practising these skills at calmer times, too.
Call us on 02 9438 2511, email hello@mindboxpsychology.com.au or send us an enquiry. Our reception team will answer your questions.
We’ll match you with a clinical psychologist who works with your concern, face-to-face in St Leonards or through online counselling anywhere in Australia.
Your first session is 60 minutes. You don’t need a referral to book, but with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate.
Clinical Psychologist, Director of MindBox Psychology
Our Psychologists are highly qualified, with Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. We provide treatment for pain disorders using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based treatments like Mindfulness and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
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