Stress Related Back Pain is a Relatively Modern Diagnosis
Stress-related back pain is a relatively modern diagnosis although the concept of muscular pain caused by tension is not a new one. Stress of both the physical and psychological sort can make the painful symptoms of any injury worse but 'stress-related back pain' is a term used for pain caused by stress above all other factors.
For many the idea of thoughts and feelings causing a physical problem seems unlikely, but this is well established in medicine. Stress causes many changes in the body and predisposes to conditions such as gastritis, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, it causes a build up of tension throughout the body.
Stress-related back pain is thought to relate to this tension. You may have read that back pain can be caused by muscle spasm in the back. This spasm is worsened by tension in the muscles and is a target for interventions such as stretches to the back and physiotherapy.
Stress could trigger pain in the back by creating tension and spasm in the back muscles but then can also be a part of a vicious cycle of worsening back pain. Individuals suffering from daily stress are more likely to avoid gentle exercise and relaxation. As the back pain manifests itself, some people will choose to withdraw from exercise altogether or work longer and harder as the pain limits productivity.
The key to beating back pain is identifying the vicious cycle and taking action to break it. Key to this is reducing stress levels but also increasing light activity, stretching and other exercises. For many people, stress starts at work. When trying to make a change at work thinking beyond just the workload and the obvious psychological stress, ensure you also consider the physical stress your job. If you work at a desk - ensure you're on a good ergonomic chair, perhaps you need a footrest, perhaps your computer screen is too high or too small?
Almost all pain is made worse by stress and back pain in particular can respond to a concerted effort to beat this vicious cycle. Make lots of small changes to your work and lifestyle and you'll be on your way to beating back pain.
Visit my blog for more information on beating back pain at The Back Surgery.
For many the idea of thoughts and feelings causing a physical problem seems unlikely, but this is well established in medicine. Stress causes many changes in the body and predisposes to conditions such as gastritis, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, it causes a build up of tension throughout the body.
Stress-related back pain is thought to relate to this tension. You may have read that back pain can be caused by muscle spasm in the back. This spasm is worsened by tension in the muscles and is a target for interventions such as stretches to the back and physiotherapy.
Stress could trigger pain in the back by creating tension and spasm in the back muscles but then can also be a part of a vicious cycle of worsening back pain. Individuals suffering from daily stress are more likely to avoid gentle exercise and relaxation. As the back pain manifests itself, some people will choose to withdraw from exercise altogether or work longer and harder as the pain limits productivity.
The key to beating back pain is identifying the vicious cycle and taking action to break it. Key to this is reducing stress levels but also increasing light activity, stretching and other exercises. For many people, stress starts at work. When trying to make a change at work thinking beyond just the workload and the obvious psychological stress, ensure you also consider the physical stress your job. If you work at a desk - ensure you're on a good ergonomic chair, perhaps you need a footrest, perhaps your computer screen is too high or too small?
Almost all pain is made worse by stress and back pain in particular can respond to a concerted effort to beat this vicious cycle. Make lots of small changes to your work and lifestyle and you'll be on your way to beating back pain.
Visit my blog for more information on beating back pain at The Back Surgery.
Stress can be a pain for everything indeed.
ReplyDeleteStress is stressful
ReplyDeleteThis could all be avoided if we didn't all have to sit down so much. :/ Sedentary lifestyles suck.
ReplyDeleteMy back hurts so much and that back surgery didn't help. Sucks to be me.
ReplyDeleteinteresting. i just read in a book about the evolution of humans that said our ancestors also suffered from lower back pain, which is a little depressing. as an adult i have had lower back tightness, related to stress completely, i have noted through the years.
ReplyDeleteInteresting!
ReplyDeleteWeird, I get that same pain after a long walk... I wonder if my style of walking is causing it.
ReplyDeletestress causing back pain? i'm going to have to share that info with people i know that have back problems.
ReplyDeleteThis happens to me.
ReplyDeleteWeed is good for this. ;)
ReplyDeleteInteresting info thanks
ReplyDeleteyou know I would gladly massage the guy from the pic :)
ReplyDeleteStress contributes to injuring the body from the inside out
ReplyDeleteouch!
ReplyDeleteYoga has helped my back pain!
ReplyDeleteMy L1S5 disc is slipped about 3mm and THAT'S the cause of my back pain :)
ReplyDeleteUgh, back pain and stress. Two things I don't want to deal with, lol.
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteEvery now and then my back spasms like madd.. Other days I can chop wood all day and be fine..
ReplyDeletesometimes i get random lower back pain i wonder if it could be stress related >.< thanks for the info, ill be following
ReplyDeleteNice info, important to know :) thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteStress can be the root of every body pain. My leg cramps up a lot when I'm stressed out, so I make sure to take a rest to prevent stress.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that's why I'm feeling back pain. Unless it's just my bad posture.
ReplyDeleteStress seems to just make me feel tired and cranky, while The Editor actually gets physical pains and knots in her upper back.
ReplyDeleteWork isseus for me.. :(
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! I hate back pain! :(
ReplyDeletex
Rachel
too much work and deadlines :(
ReplyDeletedidnt even know that was possible.
ReplyDeletegood info thanks
ReplyDeleteYou had me when I saw the stop premature ejaculation page. Followed! Haha
ReplyDeleteI didn't know stress could cause back pain!
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I only get back pain when I sleep funny.
ReplyDelete