Experts agree that about 80% of the American population will experience back pain at some point in their life.
While disease, illness, and strain are common causes of back pain, stress alone accounts for around 30% of pain in the lower back. This painful condition disrupts work and leisure activities, leading to a substantial loss of both earnings and enjoyment every year.
Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to get your life back on track.
This is how to treat back pain caused by stress.
How Can Stress Cause Back Pain?
For some people, stress results in mental maladies like anxiety and depression.
For others, the ravages of stress manifest in minute physical symptoms. These accumulate over time and often pop up as seemingly unrelated ailments, like back pain.
Stress causes us to tighten the muscles around our shoulders and spine which can eventually lead to chronic pain – known as Tension Myositis Syndrome.
TMS can affect your mood and mobility which results in less activity and social engagement. In turn, these behaviors cause more stress and so the cycle goes on.
That’s why it’s important to do something about stress-related back pain as soon as possible.
Consult Your GP About Back Pain Caused by Stress
Always consult your doctor first about the best way to treat back pain. They need to examine you and rule out more serious health issues or injury before you proceed with any remedy for stress-related back pain.
If they can’t help you with a particular issue, they’ll refer you to one of several different types of back pain specialists who can.
Often the best way to treat back pain lies in lifestyle changes or simple exercises. These are the best ones.
Exercise Every Day
Exercise plays a significant role in treating stress by combating the cortisol and adrenaline responsible for muscle tension.
Start gently by taking regular breaks to stretch, or taking a short walk during your workday.
As your pain starts to decrease, you can work up to about 20 minutes of exercise daily which is the recommended amount for optimum health.
Relaxation is Important
Everybody needs a little downtime to function at their best. Take regular breaks to give your mind and body a chance to recover from the rigors of stress.
Spend time relaxing with friends and family, read a book, or meditate every day, and you’ll soon notice you’re far better able to cope with stress and avoid pain.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Stress can result in loss of appetite or over-eating. Stick to regular mealtimes and make healthy meal choices. You should also avoid harmful activities like smoking and drinking heavily.
The bottom line is that healthy habits are the best way to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering.
Stay in Good Shape to Alleviate Stress
Back pain caused by stress is one of many manageable ailments that often go untreated due to misinformation.
If you want to stay on top of the latest tips and remedies surrounding common health issues, keep reading. We cover a wide range of topics about preventive health care and widespread health issues.