Three years ago, I experienced the worst, most debilitating lower back pain of my life. Like most episodes of back pain, it began insidiously without any discernible reason. I found some relief through massage and stretching. My basic strategy reduced the pain to a mild intensity, making life manageable.

However, after a few months of “normal life” consisting of lifting, running, working, parenting, etc., the pain persisted. The breaking point came while performing deadlifts and snatches. I felt a pop in my back, and the pain roared. Standing up straight? Forget about it. Rolling in bed? Not tonight. Coughing? Ouch.

Unable to exercise or work, I was reduced to rest, heat, electric stimulation, and contemplation on how I ended up here.

So what was the cause? Was lifting solely to blame, or was the tightness I experienced a response to my high-stress lifestyle?

Allow me to provide more context.

At the time of my back trouble, lifestyle stress was high. I was pouring my body, mind, and spirit into my new business. My PT practice was on an upswing. I was treating 50 people a week, each for an hour, waking up early to complete my administrative, marketing, and sales duties. Additionally, I was maintaining my running and lifting schedule to train for a half marathon. On top of that, my wife was eight months pregnant with our second child, and we had recently moved!

Much like a neglected pot of boiling water, my figurative cup was overflowing with stress. This stress manifested as lower back tension. My body and brain had been giving me gentle nudges for months to address not only my back but also my lifestyle… yet I refused to listen.

Pain is complex. It can be affected by numerous emotional, psychological, hormonal, environmental, and physical factors. Typically, when we work with clients, we consider their environment. Are they figuratively living in a sunny, 75-degree day with birds chirping, a boss who understands them, no deadlines, surrounded by supportive significant others, friends, and family, along with children who behave AND consistently receiving eight hours of sleep? Or are they more like me three years ago… or worse?

How did I empty my overflowing cup? First, I addressed the acute pain with manual physical therapy and dry needling. Then I ensured it did not come back by improving the effectiveness of my lifting technique and identifying my underlying issues. The biggest of which were my occupational and lifestyle stressors. I hired another therapist to help me at work (thank you, Dr. Kelly Cutler!), paused my marathon plan, slept in a little more, and practiced additional self-care techniques like meditating and journaling. And, of course, I did some core work!

I still get back soreness from time to time. When I do, I consider not just the physical triggers but also what is going on in my life that may be contributing. This way, I can make the most appropriate intervention to reduce the contents of my cup!

At Norton Physical Therapy, we work with motivated, type-A active adults. We understand the pressures of modern day-to-day life in a busy city! You don’t need to wait until you reach a breaking point. Let us help you manage your stress and physical health before it becomes overwhelming.