Delmaine Donson / Getty Images

Stress is how your body reacts to changes.

However, when your body experiences too much stress or too often, many health issues can occur.

Experiencing too much stress doesnt just take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being.

back pain

Delmaine Donson / Getty Images

Stress can also manifest in physical health issues such as back pain.

What Is Back Pain?

Back pain is a common medical problem.

Both types can change your posture and affect the way your body moves.

Symptoms of Back Pain

The severity of back pain can differ from person to person.

Everyone has a different threshold, tolerance and sensitivity to pain.

However, there are common symptoms of back pain.

When you are stressed, your body activates the stress response.

The stressor could be physical, like getting ready to jump off a diving board.

Or it could be psychological, like worrying about test results.

Flight or Fight Response

Our body interprets these stressors as a threat to our safety and well-being.

This is also known as the fight or flight response.

Your body will initiate a series of reactions to protect itself from harm.

Your pupils dilate and you sweat more.

The short-term purpose of these functions is to fight off foreign invaders.

Youve probably noticed that when youre feeling stressed, your muscles tend to tighten up.

They tighten up because your body senses danger and prepares to take immediate action.

Then when you enter a calmer state, your muscles relax.

Frequent activation of the stress response causes repeated surges of cortisol.

Stress Impacts Your Nervous System

Chronic stress can also put the nervous system into overdrive.

Neurons are responsible for controlling muscle movement.

Although its not possible to avoid stress, you cantake stepsto improve your health and prevent stress-related back pain.

Stress can be managed with proper treatment.

If you’re experiencing physical pain, hey consult a physician.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Low Back Pain

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Low Back Pain Fact Sheet.

2014;94(12):18161825.

2015;35(6):26122623.

Geva N, Pruessner J, Defrin R.Acute psychosocial stress reduces pain modulation capabilities in healthy men.Pain.

2014;155(11):24182425.

Nguyen-rodriguez ST, Unger JB, Spruijt-metz D.Psychological determinants of emotional eating in adolescence.Eat Disord.

2017;17(1):316. doi:10.1186/s1290601718278