Stress affects the body in a variety of ways, from mood swings and headaches to weight fluctuations. However, an often overlooked side effect of stress is neck and back pain. Over time, repetitive bouts of stress can cause musculoskeletal issues in these regions of the body.When we get stressed out, the body naturally releases certain hormones. Adrenaline is associated with the ancient “fight or flight”
phenomenon that heightens our blood pressure, increases our blood supply, and causes the muscles around our spine to tense and spasm in case we need to flee the source of the stress.
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone; it interferes with a variety of functions. Elevations in cortisol can lead to loss of muscle mass and increases in fat accumulation.
Data published on Statista.com suggest that adults know stress affects their spines. Online survey participants ranked the No. 1 perceived cause of their neck and back pain as follows:
- Stress: 29 percent
- Not enough exercise/weak muscles: 26 percent
- Physical work: 26 percent
- Overweight: 25 percent
- Spinal disc herniation: 21 percent
- Sitting at a desk at work: 20 percent
However, a certain level of stress is ever-present for most adults. While it’s unrealistic to suggest eliminating all stress from life, we can take incremental steps to reduce stress and alleviate neck and back pain symptoms at home and at work.
