Hey there,

As EMDR therapists, we've all seen firsthand the power of this modality for treating PTSD and other trauma-related issues.

But here’s something a lot of clinicians don’t realize:

EMDR is also effective in treating chronic pain.

If you’re like many, you’re probably thinking:

"Isn't pain a physical problem? What does it have to do with trauma and memory?"

Turns out, a whole lot.

The brain plays a huge role in how we experience and perpetuate pain. Over time, it can get stuck signaling pain even when there’s no longer tissue damage or physical reason for it. It’s like the brain’s pain alarm is jammed in the “on” position (and no amount of medication alone can fully silence it).

That's where EMDR comes in.

By targeting unresolved memories and emotions linked to the pain experience, EMDR helps the brain “un-stick” that pain alarm and recalibrate the nervous system’s response.

Pretty cool, right?

There's a growing body of research backing this up, too.

Evidence includes RCTs or preliminary trials in fibromyalgia, phantom limb pain, and migraine, with early pilot work in pelvic pain which is promising but still developing. Studies have shown that EMDR can significantly reduce pain intensity, improve functioning, and decrease reliance on pain medications.

I've personally used EMDR to help clients with nerve damage, chronic back pain, hip pain, and headaches. I've come to appreciate how EMDR can change the clients relationship with pain. Sometimes it relieves symptoms entirely, and sometimes it provides a window of understanding into how the body is storing traumas, revealing new targets to address with EMDR.

So how does this mind-body approach actually work?

One key principle is processing traumatic or stressful memories that may be fueling the chronic pain response. These could be:

• “Big T” traumas like car accidents or assaults
• “Small t” traumas like medical procedures, childhood injuries, or cumulative life stress

Reprocessing these memories neutralizes their emotional charge, helping the brain and body release pain patterns anchored to these experiences.

EMDR also targets the present-time experience of pain (sensations, emotions, cognitions) using bilateral stimulation, which can support relaxation and autonomic regulation while we reprocess drivers of the pain response. This bottom-up approach complements the top-down memory reprocessing work.

Many clinicians adapt established EMDR pain protocols (e.g., Mark Grant’s approach) and emerging group models for chronic pain.

At this point you might be thinking:

"This all sounds great, but I don't feel confident enough in my EMDR skills to take on complex pain cases."

I totally get that.

Working with chronic pain can feel daunting, especially if you're used to more straight-forward PTSD presentations.

But here’s the good news:

If you have a solid foundation in EMDR, you already have the core tools to start helping these clients. It’s a matter of adapting and expanding your skill set.

And you don't have to do it alone.

Seek out specialized training, consult with experienced colleagues, join a community of like-minded practitioners (like our Helicon pilot) for ongoing support and learning.

You've got this.

Until next time,

Chris

Thanks for reading Helicon's EMDR Therapist Weekly, where we aim to provide a weekly dose of insights, tools, and opportunities for EMDR therapists; designed to support your growth, sharpen your practice, and connect you with what's next.

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