Can Stress Cause Back Pain? How Chiropractic Care Provides Relief
Can stress cause back pain? If you’ve experienced a period of prolonged anxiety, you may have already realized the connection.
As a trusted chiropractor for back pain in Brooklyn, NY, Metro Healthcare Partners treats every patient with compassion and offers expert, customized treatment plans. Keep reading to learn more about how we help you reclaim your quality of life.
Can Stress Cause Lower Back Pain? The Link
According to Harvard Health, 85% of people experience back discomfort serious enough to warrant medical attention. However, can stress cause lower back pain? The answer won’t surprise you.
All soreness comes from inflammation. Stress increases the levels of swelling in your body in several ways, including:
- When people feel stressed, they clench muscles, which release lactic acid.
- Anxiety reduces breathing, decreasing oxygenation.
- The fatigue and lack of sleep caused by difficult experiences often prevent people from practicing proper posture.
- Stress releases cortisol, which leaves behind inflammation as it leaves the body.
The mental health effects of living in a constant state of fight or flight leave you vulnerable to making poor decisions. The increased rate of injury frequently affects spine health and nerves.
Can Stress Cause Upper Back Pain? Examining the Connection
Can stress cause upper back pain? The effects of long-term anxiety don’t discriminate when it comes to your muscles.
How To Relieve Back Pain With a Chiropractor in Brooklyn, NY
Now that you know the answer to “Can stress cause back pain,” it’s time to seek treatment. Scheduling chiropractic care for back pain gives patients with spinal discomfort the best chance at recovery or management.
Spinal Adjustments Targeted at the Trigger Point
When people think of a chiropractor, spinal adjustments are the first thing they imagine. However, even if the discomfort radiates up and down the back, it often only arises from a few trigger points. These points consist of balls of hardened scar tissue and muscle fibers.
A problem with the vertebrae in the spine also consistently pinches nerves. This causes pain to radiate throughout the limbs. Targeted spinal adjustments optimize results because they don’t waste time addressing uninjured or non-problematic places.
A Focus on Mobility and Flexibility
Back pain frequently leads to stiffness and reduced mobility. This can make sleeping difficult, hinder the patient’s quality of life, and keep them from enjoying the hobbies they love. In treating back pain induced by stress, a chiropractor often focuses on restoring the full range of motion.
When bones and joints fall out of alignment, they lose range of movement. These misalignments occur from poor posture and tense muscles that put undue pressure on the spine and joints.
In addition to spinal adjustments, a chiropractor often uses soft-tissue therapy, like myofascial release, to bring everything back into place. What are the benefits of increased flexibility:
- Increased mobility can reduce discomfort, leading to a better night’s sleep and less fatigue.
- A better range of motion allows you to participate in hobbies, protecting your mental health.
- Reducing stiffness helps prevent future injuries and flare-ups.
- Restoring full function to joints makes obtaining a more consistent posture much easier.
Relief for Nerve Pressure Points
Can stress cause back pain? Part of the connection lies in the nerve’s pressure points. Many people have heard of these locations in the body, but few know what they are.
Pressure points consist of a nerve cluster or a place where muscles, tendons, and blood vessels meet. They have a high sensory sensitivity and affect sensations throughout your body. For example, relieving a pressure point in the foot may sometimes cure a headache.
These locations are a great testament to the interconnectedness of the body. By identifying and addressing locations with stored tension, the chiropractor could address both the stress and the associated pain.
Strengthening Core Muscles and Posture Control
Do you often find yourself hunched over a computer or slouching while walking? Stress causes fatigue, which further drains a person’s energy to maintain good posture. While treating physical symptoms caused by stress, the chiropractor will help create an exercise plan that strengthens the muscles around the spine, such as:
- Kettlebell swings
- Side planks
- Hip lifts
- Cat-cow stretch
- Downward facing dog
- Pigeon pose
Many of these stretches fall under the yoga category. Practicing yoga multiple times each week can reduce stress and improve posture.
Holistic Approaches That Include Stress Management
The best chiropractor equips you with advice and techniques for at-home use. They know the mind and body have a strong connection and often suggest the following stress-management techniques:
- Meditation involves deep breathing and letting negative thoughts pass by.
- Yoga and exercise keep you healthy and release endorphins.
- Cultivate a strong social network filled with friends and family.
- A healthy diet provides valuable nutrients and reduces the effects of processed foods.
- Practicing creativity and gratitude can help keep a positive perspective on life.
Schedule an Appointment With a Back Pain Doctor in Brooklyn
Can stress cause back pain? Metro Healthcare Partners helps patients understand how anxiety uniquely affects their bodies and gives them tips for preventing back pain. Our healthcare experts take a holistic approach that nurtures the mind and body as one.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. To book an appointment, call (718) 568-5239.
Frequently Asked Questions
Metro Healthcare Partners can answer all your questions about this topic, including the following.
How Many Sessions Do I Need for a Chiropractor to Cure Spine Problems?
You’ll need an average of 12 sessions with a chiropractor over six weeks for the best chance at curing spinal care problems, according to spine-health.com
How Effectively Can a Chiropractor Treat Back Discomfort?
A chiropractor treats back discomfort with consistent success. One University of York study revealed that 92% of people report reduced symptoms after seeing a chiropractor.
How Can Stress Cause Back Pain?
Stress causes back pain through a combination of muscle tension, increased pain sensitivity, and a release of cortisol.
