This Is How Stress Causes Back Pain
Back pain is a common condition that can significantly impact one's quality of life. While physical factors like muscle strain or injury are often blamed, there's another contributing factor that is often overlooked - stress.
Understanding the Stress Response
When we encounter stress, whether it's due to work pressure, relationship issues, or other factors, our bodies release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones trigger physiological changes aimed at preparing us for a ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response.
However, in modern-day many stressors, such as financial pressure or work deadlines, cannot be fought or escaped from, causing stress to become chronic. This can cause persistent muscle tension and sensitise the nervous system, exacerbating the perception of pain.
Muscle Tension and Posture
One of the primary ways stress impacts the body is through muscle tension. This can particularly affect the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and back. Tight muscles, especially when they remain contracted for extended periods, can lead to discomfort and pain.
Moreover, when stressed, people often adopt poor posture. Slouching or hunching over can place undue strain on the spine and supporting muscles, contributing to back pain over time.
Inflammation and Immune Response
Chronic stress can also lead to inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the body's natural response to stress, injury, or infection, but when it becomes chronic due to ongoing stress, it can contribute to pain and discomfort, including in the back.
Additionally, stress can weaken the immune system. A compromised immune system may make individuals more susceptible to infections or conditions that can manifest as back pain, such as inflammatory disorders.
Impact on the Nervous System
The nervous system plays a critical role in our experience of pain. Stress can actually amplify pain perception by sensitising the nervous system. This means that under stress, you might feel pain more intensely or be more aware of discomfort that might otherwise be tolerable.
Anxiety and depression, common companions of chronic stress, can lower pain thresholds and increase the perception of pain, and contribute to the development of autoimmune disorders - which may manifest as back pain.
Managing Stress to Alleviate Back Pain
Given the connection between stress and back pain, managing stress effectively can be an important part of preventing or alleviating back discomfort. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress and its physical manifestations.
Additionally, certain herbs and nutrients can alleviate back pain by providing pain relief, reducing inflammation and assisting the body and mind to adapt better to stress. If this is something you’re interested in, you can book a naturopathic consultation with me or sign up to the Client Portal for free.
