Can stress cause back pain? How do you deal with patient stressors?

Can stress cause back pain that brings them into the chiropractic office or, worse cause scenario, causes them to turn to addictive pain killing (but not pain resolving) drugs?

Stress management is a valuable tool for a care option in chiropractic when asking, “Can stress cause back pain?” As a chiropractor, just ask your patients.

Anxiety and stress can present as a physical symptom including stiff shoulders and neck, tingling in the hands and feet, low- or upper-back pain and muscle spasms. Chiropractic care in a mind-body-spirit approach can not only help your client, but also strengthen your doctor-patient relationship.

Unmanaged stress and the results

Everyone has experienced stress on some level, especially over the last few years. Unmanaged stress and its symptoms can lead to more problems, including a weakened immune system, higher levels of cortisol in the body, and an adrenal system that operates well below the norm. Chiropractic care can offer clients an improved outlook and quality of life.

Your clients may be experiencing some or all of these stress-related symptoms:

pain or soreness of joints or muscles
poor sleep
headache
fatigue
restlessness
neck pain
overall malaise

Can stress cause back pain? Surveys show that 29% of Americans think that it can. Because they know through experience.

Ask patients can stress cause back pain

Talk to your clients and pay attention to symptoms and discussions that may point to stress or anxiety. Look at every area of their lives, no matter how small.

Here’s how chiropractic care can help your client lessen stress and move in the direction of wellness:

Note every change. Along with adjustments, consider diet, nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness. Offer ways to reduce stress through worksheets, handouts, and meditation. Here are some free printable examples: https://www.professional-counselling.com/stress-management-worksheets.html
Work with other involved practitioners or therapists on ways to lower blood pressure and reduce stress or anxiety through massage, acupressure, acupuncture, or even hypnosis.

Spinal adjustments have been shown to trigger a hormone response in the body, including oxytocin and cortisol, which are important to nervous system function. Another hormone, neurotensin, can neutralize pain from stress.

Chiropractic adjustments along with massage can help with sleep issues. Research and suggest natural supplements that may aid sleep without interfering or interacting with medications the client may have been prescribed by other medical health professionals.

Clients suffering from migraines or headaches could benefit from manipulations that relieve stress in the neck, shoulders, or jaw. With approximately 20% of chiropractic patients receiving treatment for neck pain, stress could be an underlying factor that should be addressed in your office.

Can stress cause back pain that brings them into the chiropractic office or, worse cause scenario, causes them to turn to addictive pain killing (but not pain resolving) drugs? Listen carefully to your client for clues on stress triggers. Sometimes a kind ear can play a part in relieving a client’s stress. Treat them with respect and concern. This will build trust for your practice and can ripple out through referrals.

Sources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161475400901118

https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Infographics/GeneralMHFacts.pdf

https://www.rtor.org/2019/02/21/mental-health-and-chiropractic-care/#:~:text=Researchers%20found%20that%20blood%20pressure%20was%20reduced%20after,patients%20with%20mental%20health%20issues%20feel%20more%20stable.

https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wellnessevidence/stress-management/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10478772/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24450367/

https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wellnesseviden

https://unnus.com/medical/chiropractic-facts-statistics/ce/stress-management/