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Anxiety and Fear-Avoidance in Musculoskeletal Pain

  • Fibromyalgia (MFP Peres, Section editor)
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Abstract

Musculoskeletal pain (MP) is common in the general population and has been associated with anxiety in several ways: (a) muscle tension is included as a part of the diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, (b) pain can be a common symptom and a good indicator of an anxiety disorder, (c) anxiety is an independent predictor of quality of life in patients with chronic MP, (d) anxiety leads to higher levels of pain chronification, and (e) fear, anxiety, and avoidance are related to MP. The objective of this article is to explore the mechanisms underlying the relation between anxiety disorders and musculoskeletal pain as well as its management. We have also highlighted the role of spirituality and religiosity in MP treatment. We found some similarities between proposed mechanisms and explicative models for both conditions as well as an overlapping between the treatments available. The recognition of this association is important for professionals who deal with chronic pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal University of São Paulo, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil

    Giancarlo Lucchetti, Arão Belitardo Oliveira & Mario Fernando Prieto Peres

  2. São Paulo Medical Spiritist Association, São Paulo, Brazil

    Giancarlo Lucchetti & Mario Fernando Prieto Peres

  3. Albert Einstein Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil

    Juliane Prieto Peres Mercante & Mario Fernando Prieto Peres

  4. R Joaquim Eugenio de Lima, 881 cj 708, 01403-010, São Paulo, Brazil

    Mario Fernando Prieto Peres

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  1. Giancarlo Lucchetti
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Correspondence to Mario Fernando Prieto Peres.

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Lucchetti, G., Oliveira, A.B., Mercante, J.P.P. et al. Anxiety and Fear-Avoidance in Musculoskeletal Pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep 16, 399–406 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0286-7

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