Stress and back pain...another "body" effect of stressStress and back pain: Learn the connection between back pain and stress. Stress affects body parts, and your back is not an exception. Learn why today! To be honest, I've had a lot of "stressful" days, but I can't recall more than two or three back pain "incidents". But that's beside the point. Hmm. Well, back pain and stress do have a lot in common, so you're definitely going to find out exactly "what" it is. You're ready, aren't you? Let's go! Stress and Back Pain: What's the Connection? Well, if you read about stress and chest pain , then you'll find that the topic of stress and back pain will be a lot similar. Why? When you're stressed, your body releases stress hormones, which cause your muscles to tighten and tense up. So why your back, and not your arm? Well, your back is more sensitive when these hormones get released. Well, there's also another way stress causes the pain in your back. Here it is... It's All Related... When your muscles normally function, they produce acidic waste in your body. What's this? Well, just know that the goal is to have your muscles free of this waste. Remember how stress causes your muscles to tighten up? Well, that's the start of another "chain-of-events" caused by stress. When your muscles are tight, the blood flow to your tissue decreases. What does this mean? Well, your tissues don't receive any nutrients or oxygen. And you may already know, your tissues need nutrients and oxygen, in order to live up to their "bodily tasks". So that "waste" in your muscles can't be cleaned out because your muscles need enough blood flow to make that happen. But when your muscles are tense, you don't have enough blood flow, remember? Right, so this acidic waste stays in your muscles, and keeps building up. And that is what causes that painful feeling that you get in your back. But wait! What about your tissues that don't get enough oxygen? Did I miss that part? No, I did not. When your tissues don't get the blood flow they need, they can't heal your muscles as fast. Finally, what does this mean? Longer pain. More pain. Phew, where done with stress and back pain...WRONG! There yet another way you stress effects your back. You Thought Back Pain Was From Physical Work, Didn't You? As you can see, a hard day at a construction job is not the only things that causes back pain. So, let's explore further into the topic of stress and back pain and investigate another way these two are related. Remember how your tissues suffer if they don't receive enough oxygen and nutrients? Well, the same goes for your muscles. Tissues get revenge by delaying the healing process. Guess how your muscles act when they don't get what they want? You guessed it; they give you pain. Pain; nothing simpler than that! So that's all right? WRONG! Stress is getting really cold-blooded, isn't it? When your muscles are starved of oxygen, they also lose strength. They get weaker. Of course, you may know, this means it is more likely that your muscles will be strained, hurt, pulled-the list is pretty long! So it makes you more vulnerable to pain. In your back. Remember, your back muscles are sensitive to stress. That's why you get this "chain-of-events" from stress. The "Cycle" Ok. The following information is not for the squeamish...Just kidding! The "cycle" may seem scary (to me it is!), but if you no longer want to suffer from stress and back pain, it's good to know this. Remember, understanding the problem is part of the solution. So here we go... If your muscles are tense to start with, you'll end up with pain. If your muscles are paining to start with, you'll end up with tense muscles. And the "scary" cycle just keeps going on and on - if you fall prey to one of these "muscle problems". Scary? Yes. Important? Bigger YES! Well, now you know that either of these "cycle symptoms" should be avoided. And to avoid that, you need to learn to
deal with stress
, using helpful and practical
tips and techniques.
If you're stressed out, you usually are mentally overwhelmed. This means there is a lot of tension and stress in your brain. Your brain, being the central control system of the body, is responsible for every action in your body. And this includes blood flow and tissue repair. Here's what I always think to myself. If the "powerhouse" is stressed out, then everything that it controls will also lose function and support. And the "cycle" and the "chain-of-events" is the evidence to prove it. So if you are confused about the relationship between stress and back pain, then just make sure you grasp the big picture, as described above. Some more advice... If you chose to explore other possible ways stress can affect your health, understanding the general idea really helps. You don't have to know the facts detail-for-detail, although it helps to some extent. But just know the concept, and why "it's the way it is", that's all. Well, that sums up today's lesson on stress and back pain... Take-Home Lesson? Well, know you have a clear understanding about stress and back pain. Many people suffer from back pain, and it helps to know a possible cause. Stress is only one cause of back pain. If you suffer from back pain, and you think you are stressed out, it's good you know this information. Your next step is take action by exploring through many of the practical tips and techniques in this website. It's for you to use, so please don't hesitate. Stress affects the body in many ways, and you have covered your "back". Good job. That's another step you have taken towards achieving your ultimate goal of being stress free!
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