In traditional Chinese medicine, emotions and physical health are intimately connected. Sadness, nervous tension, anger, worry, and fear are each associated with a particular organ in the body.
While some types of pain are purely the unfortunate result of something going wrong at a physical level, it's important to note that other forms of discomfort primarily relate to your emotional well-being.
References:
Biro D. Is there such a thing as psychological pain? And why it matters. Cult Med Psychiatry. 2010;34(4):658-67. doi:10.1007/s11013-010-9190-y
Shirai M, Soshi T. Why is heartache associated with sadness? Sadness is represented by specific physical pain through verbal knowledge. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0216331. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216331
Tierra M, Tierra L. Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine Volume 1: Diagnosis and Treatment. Twin Lakes: Lotus Press, 1998.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095754817301709
- https://www.doyouyoga.com/5-reasons-to-do-sun-salutations-every-day-96853/