Medical Encyclopedia: Backaches and stress (Print Version)

MedlinePlus Health Information: A service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health

Medical Encyclopedia: Backaches and stress

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002130.htm

Alternative names

Stress and backaches

Information

Question:

Can stress cause backaches?

Answer:

Stress can make you more likely to get a backache. Also, reducing stress can help you recover more quickly from a back injury. But, be careful not to blame back pain on stress, because you may be overlooking a serious cause.

It is important to see a doctor right away if:

Your back pain extends to the buttocks, arms, or legs
You have weakness or numbness in your arms or legs
You have any loss of bladder or bowel control
The pain wakes you up from sleep

See also: Low back pain

Update Date: 8/6/2007

Updated by: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Adam makes no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability, completeness, currentness, or timeliness of the content, text or graphics. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.