I Didn’t Realize Stress Could Feel Like This
Most people think of stress as something mental.
Racing thoughts. Anxiety. Feeling overwhelmed.
But during my first year of chiropractic school, I learned something very different:
Stress can become physical.
And honestly, I didn’t realize it could feel like this.
The Most Stressful Period of My Life
My first year of chiropractic school was intense.
That semester alone, I had 15 finals — including written exams and lab practicals.
It felt nonstop.
One exam in particular was hanging over me the entire time: embryology.
I hadn’t done well on the midterm, and I knew I needed a strong final exam to recover my grade.
So for weeks, I carried this constant pressure in the background.
Even when I wasn’t studying, it was there.
Then My Mid Back Locked Up
Right in the middle of finals, I started getting severe mid back pain.
Not soreness.
Not stiffness.
Actual acute pain.
It sat right between my shoulder blades and lasted for weeks.
And because I was in chiropractic school, I had access to pretty much every treatment option imaginable.
So I tried everything.
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Massage therapy
- Muscle stim
- Ultrasound
- Stretching
- Icing
- Heat
- Hot showers
- Medication
Nothing made much difference.
At the time, I couldn’t understand it.
Then Something Weird Happened
The day of the embryology final arrived.
I remember sitting down at the desk, flipping through the exam booklet, and looking over the questions.
And almost immediately, I realized:
👉 I knew the material.
I was going to be okay.
And as I started writing the exam…
my mid back started letting go.
Not gradually over days.
Not after treatment.
During the exam itself.
By the end of the test, the pain was gone.
That Experience Changed How I View the Body
That moment stuck with me.
Because it forced me to realize something important:
Not every musculoskeletal issue is purely musculoskeletal.
Stress changes:
- Muscle tension
- Breathing patterns
- Nervous system activity
- Posture
- Recovery capacity
And sometimes the body holds onto stress in ways people don’t even realize.
This Is Why We Ask Questions That Don’t Seem Spine-Related
Sometimes patients are surprised when we ask things like:
- “What’s been going on lately?”
- “How’s work been?”
- “How’s your stress?”
- “What else has changed recently?”
And the reason is simple:
We’re trying to understand the full picture.
Because if we only look at the spine in isolation, we can miss important pieces of what’s actually driving the problem.
That doesn’t mean stress makes pain “all in your head.”
It’s very real.
But the body is more connected than most people realize.
Stress and Back Pain Often Feed Each Other
One of the frustrating things about stress-related tension is that it can become a cycle.
Stress increases tension.
Tension creates pain.
Pain creates more stress.
And over time, the body can stay stuck in that pattern.
This is something we commonly see with:
- Mid back tightness
- Neck tension
- Headaches
- Jaw tension
- Persistent stiffness
If this sounds familiar, you can learn more about our approach to
👉 Back Pain Treatment in Airdrie
Sometimes the Body Needs More Than Just Treatment
That experience taught me something I still carry into practice today:
Sometimes people don’t need to “push harder.”
Sometimes they need:
- Recovery
- Better breathing patterns
- Nervous system regulation
- Movement
- Sleep
- Support
And sometimes, they just need someone looking at the bigger picture.
Final Thought
I went into that exam thinking I had a back problem. What I really had was a stress problem showing up through my body. And ever since then, I’ve looked at pain differently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stress really cause back pain?
Yes. Stress can increase muscle tension, breathing changes, nervous system sensitivity, and recovery strain — all of which can contribute to pain.
Why does stress cause tension in the upper or mid back?
Many people unconsciously tighten muscles around the shoulders and rib cage during periods of stress or anxiety.
Can chiropractic care help stress-related tension?
Chiropractic care may help reduce joint restriction and muscle tension while improving movement and overall nervous system function.
The absolute BEST potato salad
8
servings15
minutes15
minutesIngredients
5 medium potatoes
3 large eggs
1 cup chopped celery
½ cup sweet pickles chopped finely
¼ cup diced red onion (or green onion)
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp prepared mustard
¼ tsp garlic salt
¼ tsp celery salt
ground pepper and salt to taste
Directions
Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender yet firm, approximately 12-15 minutes. Let potatoes cool and dice potatoes (you do not need to peel them).
Boil eggs. Cool and peel. Chop into chunks.
Mix all ingredients into a large bowl. Eat right away or place in fridge for later!
