Stress is an inextricable part of our lives. It is a natural response to a threatening or challenging situation which helps the body prepare to deal with the problem. It tenses the muscles, accelerates heartbeat (increasing cardiac output), and releases hormones such as adrenaline in the blood stream, to help us become alert and ready to deal with the problem.

So we all need stress in small doses. (If our bodies always operated in a state of relaxation, we would be no better than vegetables!). However, too much stress can be harmful for your health.

Stress and back pain
Aches and pains in the head, neck and back are common symptoms of stress; these muscles experience the greatest tension during a stressful situation, resulting in ‘tension pains’. Confirms Mumbai based orthopedic surgeon Dr Darius Soonawalla, “Of all orthopedic conditions, neck and back pain have the most consistent correlation to stress.”

While the tensing ability of muscles is important for mobility, excessive and continuous tension such as caused by a stressful situation can lead to a misalignment of the vertebrae, or to a nerve becoming pinched. This results in back pain.

In some cases, back pain also results from psychological stress.  Over time, mental tension may lead to a narrowing of the blood vessels, hampering supply of oxygen to the various muscles, including those in the back. Over time this leads to muscle tension and pain.

Dealing with it
So what can you do about stress-related backache? First of all, do not self-diagnose your condition. Back pain can also be the result of serious medical conditions like a tumor or an infection. So consult a specialist for an accurate diagnosis.

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Tags: Stress, Back