Did you know that stress causes back pain, head and stomach pain, in addition to significantly affecting our day? People who spend their lives under pressure, both professional and personal, are strong candidates for their daily losses, as well as developing future problems, often irreversible.
So, thinking about reducing these damages, in this post we will explain how stressful life can affect physical and mental health, and what are the greatest forms of treatment for this disease. Keep reading and check it out!
What is stress?
Stress is the emotional and physical way in which the body reacts to different types of pressure. Its symptoms vary from person to person, but generally, the emotional signs that something is wrong can be described as: difficulty concentrating, irritability, tension, excessive tiredness, and insomnia.
The physical signs include an accelerated heart, difficulty breathing, pain in the stomach, head, and back, in addition to compressed muscles that cause tremors and dry mouth.
Well, we know that, in the rush of the day, it is impossible to avoid stressful situations. However, it is essential that we know how to ponder these moments so that we do not suffer excessively from problems.
Why does stress cause back pain?
Stress causes the release of hormones that promote greater pain perception. These substances are also responsible for intensifying muscle tension, since the muscles can become so compressed, involuntarily, that they suffer from severe spasms.
When this muscle tension occurs, there is a reduction in blood circulation to the tissues, reducing the ideal amount of oxygenation. Normally, adequate circulation promotes and releases acidic tissue residues.
In addition to generating pain and fatigue, this build-up slows down the body’s healing, and any old spinal injury, for example, can become unbearable under the extra strain.
A classic case is people who suffer from pain in sciatica and feel empowered with stressful situations. In this case, it can become an irremediable cycle: the more stress, the more pain, and the more pain, the more stress.
How to relieve back pain caused by stress?
Stretches and exercises are 2 essential activities for those who want to relax their muscles and relieve exhaustion. But one of the most effective ways to reduce pain is to avoid worrying too much about less important things.
Holistic gymnastics, acupuncture, massage therapies, or osteopathy are also recommended activities for those who want to get rid of the pain. Just remember that when you are in pain, the body becomes less able to tolerate simple physical exercises, since the muscles are more vulnerable.
Now, let’s see how to relieve stress:
- Practice exercises
As we already mentioned, the practice of activities strengthens the muscles and promotes relief. Holistic Gymnastics, for example, is an exercise that provides greater stretching, flexibility and strength, in addition to assisting breathing, generating a sense of well-being and scaring away stress. - Look for a professional
Nothing to self-medicate and mask the pain. When discomfort is frequent, in addition to adding the exercises, see an orthopedist and report what is happening.
He is the most suitable professional to prescribe the ideal drugs, and will also be responsible for recommending treatments with more specific physiotherapists.
- Take time out for yourself
Daily life is intense, but allow yourself to relax at least one day a week. Take a hot bath and make compresses of warm water in the place where you feel the greatest tension – be it neck or back. At the end of the day, put your legs up for 5 minutes, and try to turn your mind off.
On a daily basis, learn to say “no”, respecting your wishes, and try to solve problems from the most practical to the most complicated, always looking for help if you cannot solve them yourself.