Can stress cause body aches and pains?
Your first instinct might be no, but actually, stress can cause body aches and make recovering from injuries last much longer.
Life is full of stressful situations. And stress can cause body aches and pains.
The little aches and slight pains may be different, but they add up, and stress can take its toll on our knees, back, shoulder, and neck, which often show the most severe signs of pain.
You may feel stress in your working life over meeting a deadline, managing finances, or perhaps at home – something as simple as getting the kids out the door and to school in the mornings. (ok, maybe that’s not so simple).
Research shows that seven out of ten adults say they experience stress or anxiety daily, and most say it interferes at least moderately with their lives.
Stress has become such a part of daily life that many people don’t realize it’s a problem until symptoms become unbearable, causing aches and pains, and sometimes it even becomes irreversible.
Stress affects the body in a variety of ways, from mood swings and headaches to weight fluctuations. However, an overlooked side effect of stress is body aches and pains – many people suffer from neck and back pain. Over time, repetitive bouts of stress can cause musculoskeletal issues in these areas.
When we get stressed, the body releases certain hormones. Adrenaline 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 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 an increase in fat accumulation.
Can Stress Cause Body Aches And Pains? – Chronic Stress, And Long-Term Joint Health
Aches and pains are common symptoms of stress; however, ongoing pain or stiffness may be a sign of a more serious problem.
Autoimmune diseases cause your immune system to produce antibodies that attack and damage the body’s healthy tissue instead of fighting infection. In certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the antibodies attach to connective tissue within the joints leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and potentially permanent joint damage.
Autoimmune diseases are often incurable. However, early intervention and treatment can help prevent further damage and joint deterioration.
Can Stress Cause Body Aches And Pains? -Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety
Stress can wreak havoc on your mind and body. In small doses, the stress response can improve alertness and sharpen senses; however, chronic stress can lead to serious problems such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal problems, and autoimmune diseases.
The physical symptoms can include aches, pains, tension, insomnia, headaches, chest pain, nervousness, digestive problems, low energy levels, regular colds, or infections.
Can Stress Cause Body Aches And Pains? – How to Reduce Joint Pain Caused By Stress
We can’t completely remove stress from our lives, but there are ways to ease symptoms and reduce the threat of stress causing joint pains. Here is a list of things you can try, along with a video from our therapist Alexander Zeuli, PT.
Try to spot triggers: Write notes and look for patterns. Once you’ve identified them, try to find ways around them.
Eat Well: A healthy diet is essential for maintaining a healthy weight. When you eat well long term, your general health can improve, and you will feel more energetic. Healthy eating is key to weight loss, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight offloads pressure from your spine and improves posture.
Ask for help: You’re not alone. Ask for help. It is readily available.
Stay Active: Exercise plays an important role in both mental and physical health. Incorporate walking, yoga, or other activities into your daily routine.
If you are thinking of starting running, why not read our blog: Running Tips For Beginners
Limit alcohol and caffeine: Both can intensify anxiety and joint pain. Ensure you drink plenty of water.
Stay positive: Try to look at the bright side of things. It’s not easy at times, but your body will thank you.
Cut out the bad habits: Unhealthy options that some people claim can relieve stress, such as drinking or smoking, actually can stress you out more. The long-term physical and mental consequences of these choices do not outweigh the temporary benefits of distraction from the pain.
The Fastest Way To End Your Aches And Pains
It is difficult to determine whether stress is the cause of your aches and pains because it’s something that’s harder to detect and measure. However, if you’ve suffered from muscular problems, stiff joints, or limited mobility for more than 8 weeks without improvement, stress could be a factor stopping your recovery.
At Houghton Physical Therapy, our expert physical therapy team can help to assess the root cause of your issue quickly and then provide hands-on treatment to resolve the issue so you can get back to doing what you love to do.
Typically we can see you within days, depending on your schedule; our team delivers a 5-star service and fast results so you can get back to pickleball with your friends, out on the weekends with the grandchildren, sleep better and be able to move freely.
To get started, there are a number of options:
(1) Arrange Your Free Discovery Visit where you can ask questions, learn about physical therapy and decide whether this is the right route for you.
(2) Arrange Your Free Telephone Consultation where you get to do all of the above from the comfort of your home.
(3) Inquire About Cost And Availability if you want to get started as soon as possible, so you can finally overcome nagging injuries and agonizing twinges of pain.
Other Helpful Resources
We have lots of great blogs on our website, such as:
What Is The Fastest Way To Prevent Back Pain?
5 Easy Ways To Maximize Your Workouts To Feel Confident In The Gym
Why Do I Get Knee Pain When Walking Or Hiking? – And What To Do About It
What Are The Signs Of Sciatica Improving?
We also have free, downloadable reports for people with Back Pain, Knee Pain, or Neck and Shoulder Pain
Want videos on demand? Check Out Our YouTube Channel (Remember to hit subscribe so you don’t miss out on our newest videos!)
Tags: back pain, neck pain, Stress relief, headaches
