I have been told that stress can cause backache. Is this true and what can I do to help alleviate the problem?

Answer

Stress and anxiety can lead to muscular tension. This in turn restricts the natural freedom of movement, giving rise to joint stiffness and pain. For many people the problem areas are often found in the neck and shoulders, or the lower back area.

This cycle of stress, muscle tension, joint stiffness and pain, can all too often become a vicious circle, as the resulting pain causes yet more anxiety. When allowed to continue, the result is an ever deteriorating spiral of distress, eventually leading to physical ailments such as tension headaches, tiredness, insomnia, irritability, repetitive strain, back and neck pain.

Take steps to break the cycle of stress and pain as soon as possible by making time available in your busy life for some much needed relaxation. Gentle exercise such as walking and swimming can help. Relaxation can and should be made an important part of a healthy lifestyle along with good diet and gentle exercise.

If you need more help with overcoming stress or the effects that stress can cause, I specialise in the gentle technique of Cranial Osteopathy. This is a very gentle, yet profoundly effective therapy and is so easy on the body that it is often the patients preferred form of treatment for a range of problems from neck and back pain to flat feet. Each treatment becomes a deeply relaxing experience with the patient feeling only the light, gentle, warm healing touch of the osteopath's hands, the body is led into releasing its restricted patterns of movement and naturally rebalancing itself.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006