Can stress cause low back pain?
When we are stressed, our body muscles often tense up. Pain can occur in different parts of the lower back. It’s best to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle and exercise to prevent this pain from getting worse.
Read more: What are the common causes of lower back pain in women?
Most women may experience lower back pain due to stress and anxiety in daily life. Stress can make your body stiff.
This can tighten and strain the muscles in your lower back. As a result, muscle spasms occur frequently. You may experience increased discomfort and pain in your lower back.
Read on to learn about the causes of stress and how they can lead to health problems like lower back pain.
Common Types of Physical Stressors
Physical stressors are the primary cause of tension in specific body parts. These include:
1) Bad posture:
Sitting or standing in an uncomfortable position for long periods of time is called poor posture. This may cause lower back pain.
Maintaining good posture throughout the day and at work can help prevent these problems. You can take regular breaks and stretch. One way is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. More rest and exercise are crucial to keeping your lower back strong.
2) Repeat the action:
Over time, repetitive movements such as lifting, pushing, or pulling heavy objects can cause stress on the body if not done properly. Move slowly and carefully when performing these activities to prevent discomfort, and always use proper form.
3) Trauma and core muscle weakness.
If you’ve been in an accident, fall, or other injury, you may experience pain and inflammation in your lower back. In addition, improper alignment of the spine can also weaken your core muscles.
Understand what psycho-emotional stressors are
These are all psychological factors that can lead to stress. In some cases, these may trigger lower back pain. These include:
- Anxiety – Chronic worry and fear about what may happen in the future can cause tension in the body, leading to back pain.
- Depression can cause tension in the body and reduce the ability to focus on lifestyle factors that may reduce pain.
- Life Events and Changes – Major life transitions such as the death of a loved one, losing a job, or moving can cause stress and lower back pain.
- Workplace-related stressors – working long hours, pay issues or feeling unsupported by co-workers can lead to physical stress and physical strain.
- Relationship problems – Arguments with your partner, family conflict, or feeling isolated from others can all lead to stress-related back pain.
How does psychological stress cause low back pain?
Psychological stress triggers the body’s automatic response to danger. This fighting mode releases hormones such as cortisol or adrenaline. These can cause tension in the body and you may experience lower back pain.
In addition, severe psychological stress can also lead to insomnia and fatigue. These conditions can weaken parts of your body and lead to chronic pain.
Contact the Illinois Pain and Spine Institute to learn about the best back pain relief in Chicago. Our board-certified pain management physicians understand the complexities of back pain and its connection to stress. We offer customized, innovative treatment plans to address the root causes of your physical and psychological pain.
