BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Stress Management Suffering from pain-related stress

I have an update since I first made this post a few months ago. I had back surgery on April 29th, and I TOTALLY regret not doing this seven months ago!! I am free from all the crippling nerve pain that I suffered with for two years! There is still some muscle aches in my back occassionally, but it is a night-and-day difference compared to what I was going through before the surgery. I even saw my family doctor two weeks after surgery, and she told me that my blood pressure was down from when I saw her in March. I now realize that nothing but surgery could have been done to fix my herniated disk. Things really got that bad.

I want to give some advice that I wish I got earlier. If you have to see a neuro-surgeon about lower back pain, he/she will likely bypass surgery at first and have you do a steriod shot and physical therapy. If 2-3 months pass after physical therapy, and your back is not getting better -- TAKE ACTION -- don't get complacent with moderate back pain like I did. See the surgeon again to discuss what to do next. An unresolved back problem only gets worse with time, and you do not need to wait until the pain is 100% out of control. "Play through the pain" is not good medical advice, as I found out the hard way.

I am glad to see your back pain is signifantly reduced. Back pain STINKS. I have it occassionally but it's usually due to overuse of some muscles and improves with rest. But I have had it to the point of screaming.

Thanks ktty124 for help with the UBBcode

I totally understand! I am 51 and have chronic back back. I had surgery almost 10 yrs ago with little relief. I also suffer with the stress and depression. My daughter, 34, has had two back surgeries and I was opposed to both. The second was to correct the first and she says she is doing better. I myself will never have surgery again unless I am unable to function at all. I have been going around and around trying to figure out what is best. Unfortunately, I have no solution to offer. I think I may be an addict for life due to this situation as that is the only relief for this pain. People look at you and see nothing wrong but they do not know the pain you are in constantly. I know this was not much help but to let you know there are lots of people like us out there. I wish you peace.

Negative feelings like depression, anxiety, stress, and anger can increase the body's sensitivity to pain. By learning to take control of stress, you may find some relief from chronic pain.
Several techniques can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Listening to soothing, calming music can lift your mood -- and make living with chronic pain more bearable. There are even specially designed relaxation tapes or CDs for this. Mental imagery relaxation (also called guided imagery) is a form of mental escape that can help you feel peaceful.

The neck is particularly prone to stress-related pain in part because it's already bearing the burden of your 10-pound head. Give your neck muscles an all-around stretch one step at a time. First, while sitting erect in a chair, lower your chin to your chest, letting the weight of your head gently stretch tense muscles at the back of the neck. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds. Gently let your head drop toward one shoulder. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat on the other side. Rest your elbows on your desk and press your face against your hands, then release, which will relax the muscles in your neck.

Most of the people in this world will have stress now a days. Some have because of office and some due to family. I choosed hypnotheraphy to reduce stress. I took a hypnosis - it was more helpful for me. They guided me in a good way.