Emotional Stress Proves to be a Pain in the Back

Emotional Stress Proves to be a Pain in the Back

Local chiropractors are urging Victorians to reduce their emotional stress levels to help avoid back problems.

Studies now show that while most people understood that physical stress can cause back pain, emotional pressure can also affect the spine.

Many people think of back problems as being the result of physical knocks, bad posture and lifting things the wrong way. But all emotions will trigger a response in the nervous system. In particular, emotional stress can result in back and neck pain caused by vertebral subluxations.

Vertebral subluxations happen when the bones of your spine are locked in an abnormal position and interfere with the correct function of the nervous system.

A recent study showed a direct link between psychological stress and increased loading on the spine. The results varied between men and women and people of different personality types – -introverts' were the most affected.

Participants in the study were hooked up to a Lumbar Motion Monitor and automatic blood pressure and heart rate monitors, then asked to lift an object five times. They also filled out personality profiles. Before each experiment was completed, the session was interrupted and the tester left the room. During the first stage the tester was friendly and encouraging, but on returning they became agitated and highly critical of the participant.

The introduction of stress into the activity had significant detrimental effects on the spine and surrounding muscles. There was an immediate increase in muscle activity and load on the spine.

For the first time, the study has shown that a link between psychological stress and spine loading does exist. The study showed that the effects of stress varied according to gender and that introverts, intuitors and thinkers bore the brunt of the pressure.

Introverts show the largest reaction to stress, with increases in normalized compression and lateral shear of the spine. Intuitors, not know to enjoy repetitive tasks, showed similar results in these areas.

Thinkers, on the other hand, developed an increase in absolute spine compression. To quote from the study: 'Thinkers are typically uncomfortable dealing with other people's feelings and the negative reactions of the investigators may be stressful to these subjects, resulting in increases in muscle activities and compression".

Top Five Tips to Reduce Stress
Remember to breathe: Just because you are breathing, doesn't mean you are doing it well. Deep breathing allows for the vital exchange of gases like oxygen, as well as relaxation of muscles.
Watch your posture: Someone that is stressed or depressed will almost always have poor posture. Simply by changing your posture can change the levels of your stress. For great posture your spine must be long and relaxed. Whether sitting, standing or lying, imagine your spine is being gently stretched and lengthened.
Regular exercise: There is plenty of research now that shows people who exercise regularly experience less stress.
Have a purpose for your life: Too often we get caught up in the -stuff' of day-to-day living, instead of focusing positively on what is really important.

Nurture your physical being: Eat wholesome foods, get plenty of rest and keep your body balanced with regular chiropractic adjustments.