More than 80% of studies have confirmed that there is a relationship between sustained psychological stress and musculoskeletal problems, increasing the risk of symptomatology, especially in the lumbar and cervical area, often causing other associated symptoms, such as tension-type headache and paresthesia in the arms and legs.
They have also been associated with the appearance or aggravation of other physiological symptoms as a result of sustained stress over time (psoriasis, autoimmune disorders, cardiac disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers…).
What is the origin of the ailments?
Muscular pains can have a diverse origin and one of them is related to the fact of suffering from a psychological alteration that is affecting our body.
Sustained muscle tension over time, which does not originate from the performance of an activity or other type of functional or physiological pathology, can cause inflammation and damage over time, causing us to suffer pain for long periods of time and preventing us from carrying out our day-to-day activities normally.
The fact of not having an active lifestyle and good mental health can provoke in patients changes in their daily routines and habits that favor the appearance of these muscular pains.
Depression, anxiety, phobias, apathy and grief are examples of psychological pathologies that are associated with the manifestation of these ailments.
How can we identify it?
The most common signs and symptoms of anxiety include the following:
- Feeling of nervousness, agitation or tension.
- Feeling of imminent danger, panic or catastrophe.
- Increased heart rate.
- Fast breathing (hyperventilation).
- Sweating.
- trembling
- Feeling of weakness or tiredness.
- Dry mouth.
- Blurred vision.
For those cases in which the ailments do not have a physiological origin, we must go to a professional specialized in psychology to assess the origin of the ailment and receive the appropriate treatment to improve the symptoms.
Can it be prevented?
Yes, I always remind my patients that mental health is as important as any other physiological disease of the body.
People usually think that emotional and mental health conditions are not considered something to be taken into account and that talking about them makes us look weaker or incapacitated, but we have to keep in mind that if we wait too long without receiving the proper treatment, the consequences can be serious.
Symptoms can become much worse over time and cause other more serious physical and mental pathologies. Mental health is very important in order to lead a full and healthy life.
It also prevents sedentary lifestyles, addictions, musculoskeletal pain and other diseases, and even if we manage to alleviate the pain momentarily with medication, we are not offering a solution to the problem.