How does stress cause back pain?
2010
Is it true that feeling stressed or unhappy/depressed makes our perception of back pain worse?
Question
How does stress cause back pain (e.g., tightening of muscles?) and what areas of the back are most affected? How can we relieve it? For example, I understand that as well as stretching, simple breathing exercises may relieve the tension that causes us to tense muscles. Finally, is it true that feeling stressed or unhappy/depressed makes our perception of back pain worse?
Answer
Stress is a major contributor to many health problems including back pain. When we are under a lot of stress the body releases stress hormones into the body whlch can have an adverse effect. In terms of back pain these stress hormones can cause muscles to tighten which reduces blood flow and therefore provison of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues in that area and the result is spasm and a build up of waste products and eventually muscle pain and weakness. A recent study in the journal Spine showed that patients suffering psychological distress were three times more likely to develop back pain. The areas of the back most affected by stress are the neck and the upper back as the muscle and joints in this area are smaller and therefore more likely to tighten and are affected by stress to a greater extent than the larger muscles and joints of the lower back. The stress hormones released also have an effect on our perception of pain, increasing sensitivity to it and making it appear amplified. The psychological aspects of stress can also cause back pain sufferers to belleve their pain is worse as they are highly stressed and feeling very negative about their situation. To relieve stress, and the associated back pain it can cause, it is important to do what you can to reduce your stress levels. There are many ways to do this but the most common are by using relaxation techniques and exercising. Relaxation techniques can be any number of thlngs from meditation to going for a walk to various types of exercise such as yoga or tai chi. Breathing exercises can also be helpful as they help with relaxation and subsequently the release of tension. The important thing to remember is to do whatever it is that makes you feel relaxed whatever that may be. Published in Members' News - January 2010