Inflammation in its various forms is a perfect recipe for public health, with most people reporting that stress negatively impacts their physical health. The two can create a feedback loop of pain and suffering.
If you’ve struggled with arthritis and some form of chronic stress, you need to understand how these conditions interact and counteract each other’s worst, as well as smart strategies for bringing your mind and body back into balance.
How Do Arthritis and Stress Interact?
1. Stress Can Exacerbate Some Types of Arthritis
Everyday life has more stressors than it should, even without major life-changing events. Emotional, physical, and psychological stress triggers the release of high levels of adrenaline and cortisol, stress hormones that can alter the response of the immune system.
Abnormal immune function may play a role in causing or worsening autoimmune conditions, including osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic stress can also cause inflammatory substances called cytokines to become more active, which can worsen your arthritis.
2. Arthritis Can Increase Stress Levels
Just as stress can make arthritis worse, chronic pain, flare-ups, and arthritis can contribute greatly to your stress levels. For example, constant worry about your ability to continue working or caring for your family can increase stress hormones, reinforcing the cycle of stress and pain.
When you are struggling with a transition, you may automatically develop anxiety or even worry about exercising and performing your daily activities. Lack of exercise can limit your activity level and make your arthritis pain worse, which only makes you more anxious and produces higher levels of adrenaline, cortisol, and cytokines.
3. Arthritis Management Techniques That Can Reduce Stress
A variety of treatment strategies can help you better manage your arthritis symptoms. When you experience less pain, stiffness, and disability, you may feel more confident about your future and your ability to handle your daily routine. That way, you can increase your exercise to reduce pain and increase mobility.
Your arthritis specialist may prescribe a combination of treatments based on the type and severity of your arthritis. You may need anti-inflammatory medications to relieve both acute and chronic pain. Your exercise routine may include strength training, aerobic exercise such as walking, and strength training.
Dietary changes can also help you break the cycle of stress and chronic joint pain. For example, your doctor may advise you to avoid fatty foods, alcohol, and tobacco and eat more foods with natural anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Reducing stress can reduce joint pain
Yoga and nature can help you control the production of stress hormones and inflammatory substances in your body. Research shows that both methods reduce cortisol levels when practiced regularly. Any type of exercise can help you release pent-up stress and increase your sense of well-being.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you address underlying emotional issues that contribute to chronic stress. When you find constructive ways to reshape your response to stressors, you may experience less pain and stiffness and feel more optimistic about your condition.
Whether you feel your joint pain is aggravated by stress or vice versa, assessing your overall health and well-being and recommending a comprehensive treatment and care program can help you feel better.
