Emotional Stress Can Cause Back Pain

Stress and back pain can be closely associated. The physical changes that are linked to emotional stress are linked to the development of back pain. When we become stressed numerous changes occur in our bodies. Muscles tighten, hormone levels change, blood pressure increases. Stress is a natural response to a risky situation - i.e. our ancestors would become stressed when a predator chased them through the plains. This stress would pass and the reaction would subside. For many of us, however, our current lifestyle does not allow the stress reaction to subside. Rather than a brief burst of energy followed by a rapid return to normal, the stress response can now last for days, weeks or even months. The natural stress response has morphed into a chronic problem.

A CDC study estimates that 34 million people suffer from low back pain. Back pain can cause stress and stress can cause back pain, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. Work is often a major source of stress. Some professions have higher stress than others, but most people report feeling stressed at work. A study conducted in Sweden found that psychological stress is just as damaging as physical exertion. Elevated levels of psychological stress were also accompanied by anxiety and depression.

Still don't think that stress has anything to do with your back pain? A Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science study found that patients with already established chronic low back pain were more susceptible to stress. Another study showed that the number one work-related health complaint was stress. Research at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm found that the most stressed out employees have the highest incidence of back pain.

Chiropractic focuses on correcting misalignments in the spine that cause joint dysfunction. Part of this misalignment complex (what we call vertebral subluxation) is nerve pressure. When vertebrae are out of place changes occur to the joint. These changes include tissue changes, biomechanical changes, neural changes, etc. A study published in the journal "Spine" showed that people who undergo chiropractic care are more likely to notice improvement in their symptoms.

Some other things that you can do to improve your symptoms? Relax! Most things are not mission critical, life or death situations. But, how many times do we treat them that way? I know that I have a tendency to get caught up in the details and begin to believe that whatever it is that I'm focused on is the most important thing in the world. Don't get me wrong, it is good to have purpose and value what it is that you are working on, but is it really important enough to sacrifice your health? Even better, isn't it important enough to give it your best? which you obviously can't do if you aren't thinking clearly due to stress or back pain. So, take some time out. A few minutes for breathing exercises. Take time to stretch. Fifteen minutes of meditation. All of these things can make a world of difference. Give it a shot. You'll be glad you did.