Stress Causes Back Pains

By Mirko Albrecht

Many people all over the world have problems with backaches. In the majority of cases, stress plays an important role. We discuss today about prevention and treatment of stress-induced back pain.

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My offer for all readers today is a free e-mail-consultation. If you have any questions about our actual topic or about other dietary supplements or your daily nutrition, then do not hesitate to contact me.

Classic Methods of Treatments for Back Pains

  • Medical drugs (injection, cream, tablet)
  • Relaxation methods like yoga
  • Massage Therapy
  • Chiropractic care
  • Acupuncture
  • Balneotherapy

Stress-Related Causes for Back Pains

Possible Natural Ways of Reducing Pains

Vitamins like B12 (Methylcobalamine) or some amino acids such as l-Tryptophan or dl-phenylalanin may generally reduce pains and special back pains. These amino acids are good short term stress support. One study has shown that a daily dose of 1500 to 2500 mg of vitamin C (which is important in the formation of collagen) can help provide back pain relief.

I prefer these forms of vitamin C such as Ester C and Ascorbyl-Palmitate. The natural metabolites of ester C provide quicker absorption and longer retention than the other form of vitamin C such as ascorbic acid. Ester C is an acid neutralized form of vitamin C with non-irritating to the digestive system.

Capsaicin (a component in hot chilli/cayenne peppers) as dietary supplement or/and as cream also helpful in low back pain.

Magnesium helps to maintain normal muscle and nerve function. A deficit of magnesium may cause muscle spasms and f.e. back pains. What may cause deficit of magnesium?

All situations of stress, candy/sweets, generally too much sugar, junk food, soft drinks and medical drugs such as hormone-drugs (thyroxin, oral contraceptives pill, DHEA etc.). Read more to magnesium in my article Stress - a Natural Enemy of Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc.

Dietary Supplement-Program for Back Pain:

  • 1000 to 3000 mg/day vitamin B12 (for this case is Methylcobalamine or adenosylcobalamine the best)
  • 2 to 4 g ester-c
  • Vitamin B-complex (at least 100 mg/mcg)
  • 400 mg Magnesium (citrate)

Helpful Nutraceuticals for Back Pains

Celadrin is made from a patented complex blend of special of esterified fatty acids. Celadrin promotes flexibility and healthy joint function. It is clinically tested and has shown to relieve pain from i.a. backaches. I prefer Celadrin as topical application treatment to back pains.

Glucosamine is an aminomonosaccharide found naturally in connective tissues and joint cartilage. It has anti-inflammatory effects and reduces pain such as backaches. Glucosamine is especially for chronic stress-induced backaches.

Chondroitine is a glycosaminoglycan. It is a natural component of cartilage and helps the body to produce cartilage more quickly and efficiently. Chondroitine may reduce back pains, especially chronic stress-induced.

Cases of Patients

Mr. D., Germany had in the work as computer expert too much stress. He drank very much and very strong coffee. After a while he became back aches and Tinnitus. All these were the answer, reaction to this chronic stress (long-term). I recommended 250 mg/day beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan, 750 mg (two times daily) Glucosamine, ester-c, 400 mg/day magnesium and B-vitamins. Now the back pain is normalized.

Mr. A., USA/Florida has back pain. He takes a medical drug called thyroxin. My first idea was a medical drug-induced magnesium deficit. When magnesium level low, then the body has more stress reaction. Stress may cause back pains. In this case I recommended magnesium, vitamin B-complex and Celadrin cream (two time per day). After a few weeks the pain was better.

Foods that have been proved to help with back pains are:

  • Fish f.e. salmon, tuna
  • Wheat germ oil
  • Soy beans
  • Soy oil
  • Tofu
  • Vegetables and fruits (f.e. pineapple, papaya, mango)
  • Black tea, green tea (read more in my article Reducing High Cortisol Levels)
  • Ginger (helpful for a better level of magnesium)
  • Curcuma
  • Holy basil
  • Chili
  • Pepper

Which foods may aggravate back pains?

  • Pork meat has an high concentration of a fatty acid (arachidonic acid) which causes inflammations and more back pains
  • Too much junk food, candy, soft drink etc.
  • Too much fatty omega-6-rich food
  • Alcohol
  • Too much coffee especially with caffeine

Ask our Nutrition Expert

Nutritional expert Mirko Albrecht, Dipl.- Nutrition Consultant, from Germany has agreed to provide visitors of guidestressmanagement.com free consultation on dietary supplements, nutrition-pharmacy interaction and stress related queries. Our sincere thanks to Mirko for taking his valuable time to answer our reader's questions. Click here to ask a question.

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