Childhood Trauma Linked To 45% Greater Risk Of Chronic Pain In Adulthood [forbes.com]

^{Platinum print made by F W Edwards c 1892-1893 from an original wet collodion negative by Oscar Rejlander. (Photo by The Royal Photographic Society Collection / Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Getty Images)}

By Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes, December 26, 2023

A new meta-analysis of 57 studies including over half a million people found that childhood trauma is associated with a 45% higher risk of developing chronic pain and pain-related disability in adulthood.

Researchers estimate that more thanone billion children experience trauma or go through what is known as “adverse childhood experiences.” This includes a child being physically, sexually or emotionally abused/neglected by a parent or their primary caregiver. Other adverse childhood experiences can be witnessing the death of a loved one, divorce, and feeling trapped in hostile household environments.

“These results are extremely concerning, particularly as half of the global child population are exposed to adverse childhood experiences each year, putting them at increased risk of chronic pain and disability later in life,” said lead author Dr André Bussières from McGill University, in a press release.

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