Is Wall Street to blame for your back pain?
If you've been suffering from back, neck or shoulder pain lately, much of it could be a direct result of the financial crisis gripping the world, says pain specialist Norman Marcus, M.D., who offers suggestions to help you deal with that pain. They include talking, walking, laughing and sex.
Back Pain Relief
Dr. Marcus is Clinical Associate Professor in Anesthesiology and Psychiatry and Director of Muscle Pain Research at the N.Y.U. School of Medicine and a past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
"The financial meltdown is causing millions to worry about losing their jobs, their homes and their retirement savings. And stress and tension are major causes of most common back and neck pain," says Dr. Marcus.
"When you're tense, anxious, fearful or angry, your back, shoulder and neck muscles contract. And prolonged contraction of muscles as a result of stress and tension can cause pain severe enough to impair you.
But there are strategies you can use to relieve that pain," says Dr. Marcus.
He says the most effective physical activities are those that discharge pent-up energy and break a sweat. "Studies have shown that exercise reduces the production of chemicals in the body associated with both stress and depression, and it also stimulates the brain to produce neurotransmitters that can reduce pain and generate feelings of well-being, even euphoria."
Dr. Marcus advises consulting a physician before beginning an exercise program. Here is some of the advice he is giving to his patients suffering from crisis-induced back pain.
-- Take a brisk walk
-- Go jogging
-- Take a bike ride
-- Swimming is excellent exercise.
-- Work out in a gym or exercise at home
-- Enjoy sex - In addition to the highly pleasurable benefits, studies have shown that the act of intimacy with a loved one can lower blood pressure and significantly reduce stress and anxiety
TALKING IT OVER
"Talking it over with someone you trust can work wonders," says Dr. Marcus. "You're only as tense as your unexpressed anxieties and fears. Each of our specific emotions has a muscle counterpart, a physical posture reflected in our body language or facial expressions, As fear or anxiety are dissipated during conversation, sustained muscle contractions -- and the pain they are causing -- are reduced."
LAUGHTER
"There are times when 'laughter is the best medicine' takes on renewed meaning, and this is one of them," says Dr. Marcus. "Research shows that laughter produces both physical and psychological dividends. It reduces stress and anxiety and increases tolerance to pain. Since, when we laugh, we stretch muscles, breathe faster, and send more oxygen to our tissues, some have compared the benefits of laughter to mild exercise."
"While laughter may not come easily in a time of tension and stress, mirthful laughter is worth seeking out," says Dr. Marcus, who believes a 'Seinfeld' rerun, Jay Leno monologue or Woody Allen film may provide comic -- and back pain -- relief.
PITFALLS TO AVOID WHEN YOU'RE STRESSED:
Even though you might feel you deserve to overindulge, don't use the pressure of the financial crisis to suspend healthy habits: Excessive drinking, overeating, smoking or self-medicating can only make the situation worse.
USING STRESS TO EXCUSE DESTRUCTIVE ACTIONS:
Tension and stress can easily lead to your lashing out at your family or inappropriately blowing off steam at your workplace. Recognize that extreme stress is likely to have a profound impact on your judgment. Try not to make life-changing decisions while you're coping with stress-related pain. Be wary that the steps you may take in the hope of reducing stress can actually increase your stress.
Even in "normal" times, an estimated 30 million Americans suffer from back, neck and shoulder pain, says Dr. Marcus. "During this time of financial turmoil and uncertainty, millions more may be experiencing stress-related pain. If you're one of them, you should know that there are simple, effective -- and often enjoyable -- steps you can take to cope with it."