Did you know that the emotional stress of living with chronic back or leg pain can actually increase your pain?1. Here’s what can happen: you feel stressed because you can’t function like you used to. Your body responds by increasing muscular tension, which can cause more pain. The increased pain causes you to feel more stressed. It’s a vicious cycle in which stress begets stress. Recognizing this mind-body connection can help you understand and cope with some of the health issues you may be facing.
Keep in mind that recovery from chronic back or leg pain doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey. Attitude is everything, and one of the best things you can do is recognize that you must come to terms with where you are now and find constructive ways of dealing with issues that are bound to arise. With good medical care and emotional support, you can learn to manage your condition and live successfully.
Chronic Back Pain and Relationships
Chronic back or leg pain changes everything. Thinking about the pain, or trying not to think about the pain, can become an ever-present mental companion that prevents you from focusing on the positive aspects of your life. People close to you may sometimes bear the brunt of the anger and frustration that you feel, putting a strain on your relationships. You may question your self worth because you’re not the person you used to be; as a result, you may withdraw from relationships once important to you.
Chronic Back Pain and Emotional Distress
When you live with chronic pain, a positive attitude may be hard to maintain. Seeking and accepting emotional support greatly increases your ability to cope, so joining a support group or talking to a therapist is vital.
Feeling sad or low and difficulty sleeping are not uncommon in patients with chronic back or leg pain. While these symptoms are not indicative of a true clinical depression, they are distress signals that you shouldn’t ignore. Over time, emotional stress and fatigue can reduce the ‘feel good’ chemicals in your brain, making it difficult for you to think and function at your best. You should talk to your doctor about these and other symptoms you may be experiencing so that he/she can recommend treatment.
Read more about chronic back pain and its relationship with depression and sleep disorders:
- Chronic Pain and Insomnia: Breaking the Cycle (Spine Health)
- Depression and Chronic Back Pain (Spine Health)
References:
1. DisabilRehabil. 1996 Apr;18(4):161-8. Psychological factors in disabling low back pain: causes or consequences? Simmonds MJ, Kumar S, Lechelt E. School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman’s University, Houston 77030, USA.