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Short-Term Effects of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain is a debilitating condition that is notoriously difficult and risky to treat. It is also an "invisible" disease in that there are few obvious signs that a patient has anything wrong with him. The psychological effects of chronic back pain can be as serious as the physical effects of the pain itself, both in the short-term and for longer periods of time.

  1. Neurological Effects

    • One theory holds that an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain is responsible for back pain's resistance to healing. Neurotransmitters that decrease pain stop working, but at the same time, neurotransmitters that increase pain seem to be stuck in overdrive. So even though nothing physically may be wrong, the pain persists or increases.

    Emotional Consequences

    • Chronic pain leads to frustration, anxiety, nervousness, anger and depression. Unrelieved negative emotions can alter your neurochemistry even in a relatively short time. Pain may increase as a result. Major or clinical depression can occur quite quickly and is the most common emotional consequence of chronic back pain.

    Neuromuscular Effects

    • As pain limits the patient's ability to move freely, the patient may exercise less or move in maladaptive ways so as to prevent pain. As movement is restricted, problems with movement, walking, gait, lifting and sitting for any length of time can threaten the patient's ability to work or perform normal activities.

    Maladaptive Behaviors

    • In a 1995 study by Rohling, Binder, and Rohling, case studies showed that as social support falls away, patients cling to physicians and medical personnel to replace less sympathetic families and friends. This behavior does little to improve the patient's emotional support and may further exacerbate back pain and depression.

    Addiction

    • Drug therapies powerful enough to reduce chronic back pain are often highly addictive. As the neurochemistry of the brain alters pain perception, patients are tempted to increase dosages to the point that rehabilitative therapies are needed to break the addiction.

    Social Consequences

    • Because chronic pain symptoms are not obviously visible, family members may suspect "malingering" on the part of the patient if pain doesn't quickly respond to treatment. Accordingly, the patient may become isolated, bitter, secretive or even oppositional as he loses the sympathy of those around him.

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