Back pain and stress, is it related?

[Justpeachy88]

After an awful few months with one thing and another I’ve developed terrible back pain to the point I can’t walk over the last few days, I’ve not sprained it or caused an injury that I know of but it seems to be getting worse rather than better. I’m taking strong pain killers to take the edge off. But I’ve been reading up and apparently it can be related to chronic stress.

Has anyone found that when they’ve removed themselves from a stressful situation and feeling happier that their back pain/other chronic pain has gradually gone?

I’m talking about emotional abuse and trauma from months ago with stresses in my life. Work has also been awful with lots of staff leaving where I’ve been picking up lots of extra work and doing 12 hour days at my desk over the last few weeks. I’m now signed off by the doctor so now I’ve dropped them in the deep end too which is making me worry. Thinking of dosing myself up and working still as I’m worried everyone will be off with me when I return as it’s the busiest time of the year.

Just hoping this will eventually pass, you don’t realise how important your health is until you can’t do your day to day things any more.

Honestly, it's more likely 60 hours a week slumped over a desk working and not getting decent sleep in a supportive bed that's done it.

Yes. It's so linked. I've only just found this out at 41! I read The Way Out by Alan Gordon, that is a good start at considering the psychology of pain. I've gone from having to take opioids and barely being able to move on a regular basis to lifting weights and all sorts. I had lots of fairly minor trauma that I thought I had got over really but it was sending my nervous system into overdrive.

Also the 12 hours days are a symptom of your psychological approach. You probably value powering on/keeping going and getting a job done and what will start as a small pain your nervous system will end up screaming at you to stop because by powering on through and working these long days and extra work you are telling it that you don't listen to your body's signs that it is tired!

Yes. I had ongoing daily back pain that, during flare ups left me in excruciating pain and unable to move.

It was only after quite some time I realised I'd not had pain for some time.....

This coincided with me leaving an incredibly stressful job.

Someone I know, an ex forces personnel told me in USA there's a lot of research into PTSD and gastro issues in service personnel. He had PTSD and gastro issues so severe they were wondering pancreatic cancer at one point!

There is absolutely a link between stress and physical issues.

Thank you so much for the replies. I definitely power through, I don’t want people to be upset with me and I worry about losing my job if I take time off but in all honestly I never get any thanks (or extra pay) for it. Think my decision is made, I need to use my sick note and stay off this week. Or it’s potentially Christmas in bed. My son has ASD and been going through lots of struggles with him too, mainly refusing school. I need to be fit and healthy for my kids.

I keep saying to myself if I ever get better again, the first thing I’m doing is going to the gym and build my back and strength up!

Well it’s good to know there’s hope in getting better, I’ve sent my cv out and applied for a few jobs while I’ve been holed up in bed this week. Cut off a couple of people who take up most of my brain space and upset me daily. Hopefully a change for the new year.