Stress And Back Pain – How Stress Causes Pain: The Hearty Soul
Every day, I come across patients suffering from stress-related illnesses. They have been feeling tired, moody, and unmotivated for an extended period and have realized this is not normal. As a practitioner, it is my role to find the cause of their symptoms and develop a plan to bring them the energy and vitality they deserve. But before we can do this, we must identify what stress is and its various forms.
Stress is a word that is all encompassing, often related to your body being put under strain, tension, or pressure. It manifests in both internal and external forms.
External stressors include financial concerns, family issues, physical injuries, poor work environments, and challenges presented in the outer world. Internal stressors are related to physiological issues such as emotional wellbeing, thoughts, infections, blood pressure concerns, poor quality sleep, and chemical imbalances.
How Does Stress Affect The Body?
When your body is under stress, the adrenal glands release various hormones and chemicals. This affects musculoskeletal health, neural tissue health, endocrine function, weight and fat distribution, detoxification, immune system, carb metabolism, and can lead to skin irritation, headaches, and body aches. Identifying these issues is crucial for developing a plan to restore balance to the body.
What Parts Of The Body Does Stress Affect?
Lower Back
Stress can manifest physically in the lower back region due to exhausted adrenal glands. This can cause stiffness, limited mobility, and discomfort. Correcting physical abnormalities and addressing hormone imbalances can help alleviate lower back pain caused by stress.
Gut
Poor gut health often starts with chronic stress, impacting cortisol levels and the nervous system. This connection can lead to digestive issues such as IBS, IBD, GERD, and food sensitivities. Balancing nutrition and incorporating fermented and probiotic-rich foods can help improve compromised guts.
Brain
Elevated or suppressed cortisol levels due to stress can damage brain cells, impacting memory and premature aging. Restoring balance to the gut, brain, and lower back is essential for overall well-being.
How to Heal
Reducing stress through meditation, yoga, prayer, spiritual guidance, and quiet time is essential for activating the parasympathetic nervous system and regenerating the body. It’s also important to connect with your soul and find congruency in life. Implementing a healthy nutrition plan, exercise protocol, and sleep regimen complements stress reduction techniques for comprehensive healing.
