Can Stress Cause Joint Pain?

We always encounter stressful situations in our life. From meeting deadlines at work, managing finances, traffic jams, to managing kids, stress is something that never gives way in the fast, modern life. It also affects our physical health to a great extent which includes joint pain.

What is stress?

Stress is the body's reaction to prevent harmful situations. Chemical reactions take place in our bodies which makes us to act quickly. This process is known as flight or stress response. 

Stress in a small dose is helpful in achieving unfinished tasks. Our body is designed to handle this. But a chronic or long term stress is harmful. Our body is not equipped to handle such situations and results in health consequences. 

Stress and joint pain 

Joint pain is not a stand-alone symptom of stress. It is developed along with stress and anxiety. Stress causes several reactions that affect the creation and experience of joint pain. People might experience joint pain on a regular basis, and in some cases joint pain might alter a person's day-to-day movements. In many situations this pain is hard to control and difficult to overcome.

Stress can cause Joint Pain

Stress makes your bones to release the minerals they need for bone formation into the bloodstream for the benefit of other tissues. A high amount of these minerals can suppress the body’s repair functions and affect the joints.

Excess production of minerals like cortisol (steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland), magnesium, zinc, and deficiency in vitamin D and oestrogen are the causes of joint pain.

• Altered Movements: stress and anxiety, especially panic attacks, can change the way you move, sit and act. These changes in a way that your body isn't used to can lead to joint pain.
• Stress Inflammation: stress and anxiety can cause inflammation inside the body. This can cause pain in the joints when you move.
• Immune system dysfunction: stress can directly affect your immune system. A poor immune system will result in joint pressure, distress and pain. 
• Muscle tension: significant muscle tension and stress is a common outcome of stress and anxiety.  Stiffness makes joint movements difficult and increases the chances of inflammation followed by joint pain. 
• Perceived pain: People might have joint pain because of several other reasons, which they usually ignore.  Anxiety and stress make one ignore the pain and concentrate on other things. This makes the pain more intense. 

If stress is the reason for your joint pain, then the only way to avoid the pain is by reducing it. Unless you control it, you are going to face a constant struggle with not only joint pain but with all of the other anxiety symptoms.

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Blog Reviewed By: Dr. Bharani Kumar Dayanandam

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