The National Institute of Mental Health warns that 18 percent of adults in the United States struggle with anxiety disorders. Although anxiety is most commonly thought of as an emotional problem, it also manifests itself physically. Everyone gets aches and pains from time to time due to injuries, overexertion and other causes. Anxiety can also trigger pain as one of its symptoms.
Definition
Anxiety is a state of physical and emotional arousal. It usually happens when a person is facing a stressful situation, but some have anxiety disorders that can trigger the same reaction without a concrete cause. National Panic & Anxiety Disorder News explains that aches and pains are among the common physical symptoms. The pain generally manifests itself in headaches, muscle aches and tightness in the jaw. Back, neck and shoulder muscles are the most commonly affected areas.
Causes
Anxiety causes a person to tense, which leads to the headaches and muscle pain. A clenched jaw results in facial pain. Paul Dooley of the Anxiety Guru website states that the body releases adrenaline when a person is under stress. This leads to aches and pain, as well as numbness, twitching or a tingling sensation in the skin and muscles.
Effects
Ironically, the aches and pain associated with anxiety can worsen the stress. This may also happen because of the other physical symptoms. According to the Help Guide mental health website, these include chest pain, racing heart, difficulty breathing, sweating, shaking, nausea and a feeling that you might lose consciousness. The symptoms are harmless, but they can feel like a more serious condition. This can add to the affected person's fear and make him even more anxious.
Treatment
Dooley cites exercise as one of the best remedies for aches and pains associated with stress. He explains that it helps use up adrenaline, which is a contributor to pain. Exercise also acts as a physical release for tension and promotes the release of feel-good brain chemicals. Dooley recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense exercise each day.
Massage can also help because it treats the aches and pains while also reducing stress. A good massage therapist can focus on the problematic areas for the most effective relief. A hot, relaxing bath is a good self-help technique because it is soothing and helps loosen the muscles.
Warning
It may not be enough to just treat the aches and pains without doing something about the underlying anxiety disorder. Anxiety that is severe enough to cause physical effects and interfere with normal activities and relationships may need professional intervention. The National Institute of Mental Health explains this can take the form of medication prescribed by a general practitioner or psychiatrist or therapy sessions with a counselor. These two treatment approaches are often combined. You can still practice pain-management techniques like exercise and massages along with professional treatment.
