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Writer's pictureNatascha Krauss

Adverse Childhood Experiences & Chronic Pain

Updated: May 1, 2023

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events or experiences that occur during childhood and can have long-lasting effects on an individual's physical, emotional, and mental health. Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and is often associated with ACEs.


Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):

ACEs refer to a range of traumatic events or experiences that can occur during childhood, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction such as parental depression, addiction, divorce, etc.


Studies have shown that ACEs can have a lasting impact on an individual's health and well-being. Children who experience ACEs are more likely to develop physical and mental health problems, engage in risky behaviors, and experience negative outcomes in adulthood, such as a lower quality of life, increased healthcare costs, and lower productivity.


Chronic Pain:

Chronic pain is a persistent pain that lasts longer than three months and can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, illness, and underlying health conditions. Chronic pain can have a significant impact on an individual's daily activities, work, and social relationships. It can also lead to psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.


Link Between ACEs and Chronic Pain:

There is a growing body of research that suggests a link between ACEs and chronic pain. Studies have shown that individuals who have experienced ACEs are more likely to develop chronic pain later in life than those who have not experienced such trauma.

One possible explanation for this link is the impact of ACEs on the developing brain. ACEs can lead to changes in brain structure and function that affect pain perception and processing. For example, a study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder found that individuals who had experienced childhood trauma had greater activation of brain regions associated with pain when exposed to a painful stimulus.

Another possible explanation is the impact of ACEs on the stress response system. ACEs can lead to chronic activation of the stress response system, which can lead to inflammation and other physiological changes that contribute to chronic pain. A study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles found that individuals who had experienced childhood trauma had higher levels of inflammatory markers, which are associated with chronic pain.




Prevalence of Chronic Pain in Individuals with ACEs:

Research suggests that individuals who have experienced ACEs are at a higher risk of developing chronic pain later in life than those who have not experienced such trauma. A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that individuals who had experienced four or more ACEs were more than twice as likely to report chronic pain than those who had experienced no ACEs.

Furthermore, a study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco found that women who had experienced childhood sexual abuse were more likely to report chronic pain than those who had not experienced such trauma. The study also found that women who had experienced childhood sexual abuse were more likely to experience severe and widespread pain.


Watch this educating talk from the inspiring Dr. Nadine Burke Harris.

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is an award-winning scientist, entrepreneur and advocate, dedicated to changing the way society responds to one of the most serious, expensive and widespread public health crises of our time: childhood trauma.



Love, Natascha
















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