How does stress causes damage to
spine
We have all experienced, at
one time or the other , that whenever we get mentally tense
whatever may be the cause,eg emotional, stress ,anxiety,
fear, resentment, depression, we can feel the sudden
stiffening of our back and neck muscles. When the muscles
get tense they pull the two vertebrae together, there by
increasing the pressure on intervertebral discs and small
joints of spine. Stiffness of the spinal muscles lead to
reduction in blood supply to them and accumulation of
metabolites, and this leads to irregular contractions of few
muscles leading to further damage to joints and soft
tissues. Also when this spasms continue for long periods of
time they lead to ischaemic damage to spinal muscles.
The spasms can last for long periods of time some times
lasting for days or months, depending on the mental stress
which is causing them. When the mental stress gets relieved
the spasms can also slowly get over, but the damage caused
to the spine was permanent.
The spine tends to accumulate the
stress for a few days i.e. you were undergoing stress for
few days without giving proper rest to spine and so
now even a minor trauma such as picking up a pen from the
floor can precipitate a severe bout of backache.
Prevention and Treatment
Always give rest to spine on a proper hard
bed for 10 to 15 minutes during the daytime.
Always sleep for sufficient amount of time
on a comfortable
hard bed during night.
Try to relax spinal muscles voluntarily when
you feel them
stiffening.
If you already have back pain take muscle
relaxants under
the guidance of a physician.
Walking is a good exercise for spine and it
also lessens mental
stress.
Changing the mental attitudes, trying to
overcome the negative
feelings.
Practicing Meditation, or other relaxing
techniques.
Never leaving trust in God, doing your best
even while getting
results, believing that ultimately they will prove
beneficial in
the long run.
Always believing that best is yet to come,
and it will come.