Our bodies can act in funny ways. One minute you feel great, and the next moment you can have sharp lower back pain seemingly from no where or from a simple movement. Pain is felt in the brain in response to nervous system input. Once you reach the pain threshold you feel it. Before that point you might have felt no indication of a problem. Everyone is unique and different situations for the same person can provide a range of responses. There are many factors that influence pain and the threshold at which you feel it including: genetics, stress and coping mechanisms, gender, previous injuries, weight and psychological factors. Obviously there are some factors that we can and can not influence.
     Genetics, gender and many psychological factors are out of our control. People can have more pain receptors, or in the case of redheads, a mutation in the pain receptor gene. Women are more sensitive to pain but are equal in their ability to tolerate pain intensities, with the big exception of childbirth. People affected by depression and anxiety can be more sensitive to pain.
     There are aspects of pain that we have control over. The brain perceives pain based on input from the nervous system. We can't change the input from the nerves but we can change the perception. Reducing stress and using coping mechanisms such as breathing practices, biofeedback and relaxation. Meditation can also reduce the experience of pain. People who smoke, are sedentary and/or are over weight experience more pain. A plan to quit smoking, exercise and eat healthy can reduce pain significantly. Previous injuries can condition the brain to feel more pain especially when those injuries effect the nervous system directly or indirectly. Getting old injuries healthy and maintaining a proper exercise and stretching routine can go a long way to improving pain.

Dr. Nelson

     Stress is rampant in our busy lives. Unsurprisingly it is related to back pain in more ways than one.
Physiologically our bodies respond to the perception of many forms of stress the same way we would respond to danger. Our sympathetic nervous system kicks in the 'fight or flight' response through hormones that elevate heart rate, cause shortness of breath, increase sweating and tighten muscles. Our bodies put short term survival above long term health. Respectively, when we are relaxed, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in the 'rest and digest' response which promotes blood flow to the gut, decreases heart rate and lets our bodies heal.    
     Unfortunately our body doesn't distinguish between stress at work or at home from physical threats. Physical, mental and chemical stress all influence our levels of back pain. Cortisol is released with stress, increasing inflammation and all the associated negative effects. Tension in muscles hold on to poor postures which can even influence our emotions. Stress can drive us to eat unhealthy foods which add further chemical stress to the equation. Stress can also cause a normally careful person to be reckless in many ways as we think less and react more.
     There are many ways to reduce stress that can also help with back pain: Laughter is the best medicine, especially for stress. Your social network can help you ease tension, relax and even vent. Meditate, breath deeply or practice mindfulness to bring an inner calm. Focus on the little things like your breathe, the small details of the world or even your own emotions and thoughts. Be grateful, focus on things that you have and love, not problems in the future or things you want. Exercise is a great way to burn off frustration and get your blood flowing, there are many other benefits at any intensity. If you notice you are stressed try these methods out, you might find some more effective than others. Remember which ones are the best for your body and make a habit of looking for and diffusing your stress

Dr. Nelson