Pain is extremely disruptive. It can cause you to not be as physically active and socially engaged with the activities and people that you care most about. If you are prone to anxiety either on a regular basis or experience it frequently during stressful times, you may have already noticed that a direct correlation can exist between back pain and your anxiety level.
Experiencing back pain as a result of anxiety is actually very common. Many people end up seeking help for anxiety primarily to relieve their back pain.
While anxiety may not be the primary cause of back pain, most medical experts will agree that it can be a secondary cause, as it causes behaviors and conditions that lead to back pain. For example, when you are experiencing high levels of anxiety, you may have noticed that your muscles become more tense. In fact, anxiety can even lead to a drastic increase in muscle tension. Since our backs contain numerous muscles that are known to tense during stress, the muscle tension that you experience while being anxious can lead to both upper and lower back pain.
The next time you receive a massage, be sure to speak with your massage therapist about the relationship between stress, anxiety, and back pain. Many will tell you that their clients who are stressed have numerous knots in their muscles, particularly in the neck and upper back areas. Anxiety-related back pain is not just a theory, concept, or idea. It really does exist and can have detrimental health consequences.
When contemplating which physical activities and exercises will be best to help and overcome your anxiety related back pain, be sure to speak with a Stridewell Spine Specialist. Their advice and detailed guidance will get you on the path to leading a healthier life. Stridewell Tips
Further, it is important to be mindful of the fact that anxiety and back pain can create somewhat of a vicious cycle. Specifically, while anxiety can cause the muscle tension which leads to back pain, those suffering with any type of spine related pain can also become more tense and anxious. Therefore, for some individuals, anxiety may not be an initial cause of back pain, but that does not mean that anxiety cannot or will not contribute in some form to the back pain cycle.
The good news about anxiety related back pain is that you can take a direct and proactive role in controlling and minimizing your symptoms. Some of the most effective means to do this is by engaging in stretching, deep breathing, maintaining correct posture, getting ample rest, making time for relaxation, massage therapy, and staying as active as your condition allows. When contemplating which physical activities and exercises will be best to help and overcome your anxiety related back pain, be sure to speak with a Stridewell Spine Specialist. Their advice and detailed guidance will get you on the path to leading a healthier life.
Aside from addressing the muscle tension that causes back pain, dealing with anxiety triggers and stressful situations in a positive and healthy manner will also be vital in preventing future issues from occurring. For these concerns, it may be helpful to seek professional guidance from a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
While dealing with anxiety and related back pain can be a great challenge for any person, it is important to never feel alone in the process of trying to overcome your symptoms and live a better life. Our professionals at the Stridewell Same-Day Spine Clinic are here for you. Please do not hesitate to come in and speak with us about all of your concerns!
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