Sometimes people become aggravated when they hear that back pain often has a psychological component. It's as though they feel their discomfort is being casually dismissed as "all in the mind." Back pain can have both physical and psychological factors, so it's smart to address both.
Psychological Factors Associated With Back Pain
Job Dissatisfaction
Research has found that people who like or love their jobs experience less back pain than those who dislike their work. Even when a relatively high percentage of a specific occupation -- such as truck drivers -- reports back pain, they miss substantially less work than individuals who generally have lower job satisfaction, such as bus drivers.
Stress
Stress not only can worsen existing back pain, it can actually cause pain. Tension in your body may lead you to have improper posture while sitting or standing, for example. That can lead to issues with spinal alignment.
Mental Health Issues
Several mental health problems are associated with back pain. Some examples include:
It's not entirely clear whether back pain precedes mental health issues, or whether people who experience these psychological problems have a greater tendency to develop chronic back pain or to experience worse pain. One study indicates that anxiety disorders and substance abuse tend to occur before the back pain develops, while depression generally occurs afterward.
What Can You Do Now?
You might feel there's not much you can do about these psychological issues. Nevertheless, you have many options available. Consider:
In addition, don't ignore the physical component of your discomfort. You might want to begin seeing a chiropractor so you can receive treatments such as spinal adjustments and deep-heat ultrasound therapy. With attention to both your physical and mental health, you should begin experiencing significant relief of your back pain. For more information, contact Dorchester Chiropractic Inc. or a similar company.
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