Most people think of stress as negative, but not all stress is bad. Without it, people wouldn’t meet deadlines, break records, or make lifestyle changes. The problem is not with stress, but with how we handle it.

Stress is a basic part of the human instinct to survive. Eons ago when humans first inhabited the earth, physical danger was the norm. To survive, the body developed what came to be known as the "fight or flight response.” When the mind senses danger, it sends a signal to the pituitary gland (attached to the base of the brain) that triggers the release of a hormone called ACTH which, in turn, triggers the release of adrenaline.

Adrenaline prepares the body either to fight off the enemy or to flee to save itself. It causes the pulse to quicken, muscles to tense, and blood pressure to rise, and it releases chemicals into the bloodstream to provide a quick burst of energy. Today, we don’t face the possibility of large people-eating animals lurking behind every rock, but our bodies still react with the same fight or flight response, even when the “danger” is missing an appointment because we’re stuck in traffic. Because we don’t work off this extra energy by either fighting off the danger or fleeing from it, our bodies often react by contracting our muscles, and this can result in pain.

Research has shown us that the emotional response to stress differs from person to person. Some people become angry or depressed when they are under stress. Others are more likely to experience anxiety, and with the anxiety comes an increased likelihood of back pain. And, in turn, the pain can contribute to increased anxiety. Why this happens isn’t fully understood. There is some evidence suggesting that psychological factors may play a role; other research points to the possibility of a genetic link. More studies will have to be done to uncover the reasons why people react differently to stress and how those differences affect pain.

Other stress reducing techniques include self-hypnosis, massage therapy, developing a hobby, playing with a pet, and speaking with a counselor. The technique you select is not important; what counts is that you do something to work through your stress.