In cases of traumatic injury, such as whiplash or a lifting injury, a strain, sprain, or joint damage may in fact have occurred. In many cases, however, pain reflects chronic muscular hypertonicity following injury or subsequent to long-term stress. Lactic acid buildup and tissue irritation follow.
Psychotherapy: How it Works and How it Can Help. Psychotherapy (also known as talk therapy) can be an important part of treatment for depression or bipolar disorder (manic depression). A good therapist can help you cope with feelings and symptoms, and change behavior patterns that may contribute to your illness.
1 A Therapist uses talking therapies to treat mental health problems. A Therapist can be a Psychiatrist, a Psychologist, a Social Worker, a Psychiatric Nurse, etc, and then has further training in using talking therapies.  A Counsellor is a therapist who uses psychodynamic techniques.