[On some links between pain and emotions].

The entanglement between pain and emotions is increasingly recognized. Emotions can predispose to pain and contribute to its chronicisation but also to its relief. The placebo effect is a witness to the moderating influences of cognitions and emotions on pain. An awareness of these influences is of interest to patients as it can widen their therapeutic perspectives. Chronic refractory pain has often been linked to a history of abuse, neglect and psychological trauma whose neuropsychological and affective traces can predispose to painful complaints. The treatment approach requires strong commitment and empathy on the part of the therapist in order to help patients reconnect with their own history and their emotions.