Connections Between Back Problems and the Soul
Lumbago is a disease affecting every 3rd to 4th person in the 20-50 age group, and over 50, nearly every second person has had or has back pain. In other words, it is a musculoskeletal disorder affecting many people. As a psychiatrist (and neurologist), I ask the question: In the case of lumbago, is it always "only" our spine that is burdened and painful? Or is our soul also "burdened," our soul also overloaded and hurting? Among the many causes of lumbago (cold, wrong movement, wear, calcification, herniated disc, tumors, etc.), I would now only talk about the connections between spinal complaints and stress. It is often difficult to live with lumbago because the intensity of the pain deteriorates the comfort and quality of life of the affected person. The strong and intense pain often causes absence from work (forced sick leave), which is why its social and economic impacts are also significant nowadays.
The spinal column is made up of
- bony vertebrae,
- intervertebral discs,
- ligaments that fix the vertebrae,
- and muscles
.
This flexible yet solid framework allows the body to change position and at the same time supports the trunk and head. However, it is subjected to great strain. Especially when carrying heavy weight (overweight or emotional burden…), this places increased stress on the already overloaded lumbar-sacral spine. The spine is sensitive to colds caused by sudden cooling, but also to emotional trauma and chronic stress. In such cases, muscle pain and muscle cramps may occur.
One (and quite common) cause is the overload resulting from lack of movement due to sedentary work and our stressful lifestyle. As a psychiatrist, I would now emphasize the importance of stress. When we are more stressed and tense, not only does our mind tense up, but our muscles become tighter as well. This is most noticeable in the muscle group alongside the spine. In other words, stress plays a major role in the development of most lumbago cases, the psychological overload.
Due to the load, primarily diseases of the lumbar-sacral spine are the most common; this section is the most vulnerable, to which our modern sedentary lifestyle and predominantly seated work performed with incorrect posture greatly contribute. Not to mention those individuals who, due to their work, have to drive a car for several hours (or several tens of hours) daily. They – and their spine – are subjected to intensified physical and mental strain. Thorwald Dethlefsen and Rüdiger Dahlke state that those who carry too much burden on their back without consciously realizing it will experience the pressure at the body level as pain in the intervertebral discs. The patient is forced to rest (thus "removing themselves from traffic," i.e., from stressful everyday life) – because every movement, every activity is accompanied by pain. Painkillers are only a symptomatic solution, as they merely mask and make the pain more bearable.
At times like this, it would be worth asking ourselves the question: What led to this? Why did we take on so much? Why does such a burden weigh on our soul? Overcommitment, Overload?
Overcommitting always aims to appear great and capable outwardly, thus a person compensates for their inferiority complex with actions. They want to prove something to themselves. The only question is what? and why? (Perhaps to be recognized, perhaps to be loved?) Of course, this is a wrong path to finding love.
"The function of the intervertebral disc is to provide mobility and elasticity. If the disc gets trapped or pinched between the interlocking vertebrae, our posture becomes stiff and immovable, often frozen in a peculiar position. The same correlation applies in the psychological realm. If someone is 'rigid,' lacking openness and mobility – their inner self is motionless, fixed to some peculiar internal posture or situation." - writes Dethlefsen.
This is, of course, just a small taste from the psychological approach. In cases of serious lumbago complaints – which can naturally be caused by many other factors alongside/through mental overload – e.g., wear and tear, inflammations, osteoporosis, tumors, radiating pain from abdominal organ diseases, etc.… – serious examination is necessary.
The degenerative symptoms associated with aging cannot be prevented, but they can be delayed and slowed down. Much depends on ourselves, our lifestyle, and how much attention we pay to maintaining the integrity of our spine. As with everything, prevention is the "cheapest" solution here as well. If the soul affects the body this much, then the reverse is also
true.
- avoid sudden, bad movements, especially when lifting heavy objects from a bent position, pay more attention to the movement (when lifting a heavy object, for example, bend your knees and keep your back straight!)
- those who do sedentary work for a long time should frequently change their posture
- finding the right seating furniture is important. Choose one that supports the back stably!
- if possible, avoid drafts, air conditioning, catching a cold, cold exposure
- let's swim!
- let's do sports, or at least move enough (but pay attention to warming up the muscles)
- let's relax!
- let's walk in the fresh air – with a straight spine!
- spinal problems can often be prevented by choosing a suitable bed, a mattress that is not too soft
- it matters what kind of seating furniture we sit on all day at our workplace
- it matters what kind of design our car seat has if we drive a lot
- is a great help both at the workplace and also
in the car, the good quality wedge pillow, car lumbar support, cylindrical pillow, which
supports the spine - Beyond all this: let's think positively!
- Let's learn to manage stress, let's learn to face our unresolved problems, our emotional burdens, "emotional
with our "humps". If this succeeds, then our physical "humps" and complaints will also decrease and ease.
Dr. Gőgh Edit neurologist, psychiatrist chief physician
