Dr. Patrick McNulty, our double-board-certified spine specialist with over 30 years of experience at McNulty Spine in Las Vegas, Nevada, knows that spine health and mental health are deeply intertwined.
This relationship is bidirectional, meaning your spinal health can affect your mental health and vice versa. Here, Dr. McNulty explains the connection and why it matters.
People managing spinal cord injuries or chronic spinal pain are at a much higher risk of mental health challenges.
For example, one study from Michigan Medicine shows that those living with spinal cord injuries experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and psychological multimorbidity compared to the general population. The physical changes, combined with subsequent societal stigma and a potential loss of mobility, lead to feelings of isolation and emotional stress.
Additionally, chronic back or neck pain can create a cycle of mental strain. Pain heightens awareness of physical discomfort, interferes with sleep, and contributes to irritability or low mood. This constant loop exacerbates mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
The problem occurs regardless of age. According to The Journal of Pain, adolescent pain, including back and neck pain, strongly correlates with higher rates of emotional difficulties — they’re three times more likely to experience mental health issues due to physical pain.
Left unaddressed, this connection may persist well into adulthood.
On the flip side, mental health directly impacts spinal health. Stress and anxiety, for instance, increase muscle tension around your neck, back, and shoulders. Over time, this tension can cause or worsen musculoskeletal pain.
Furthermore, depression or emotional distress can alter your overall posture and lead to poor physical habits, such as slouching, which puts pressure on your spine.
A groundbreaking review published in Psychosocial Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury explores how psychosocial factors like depression, emotional coping strategies, and community support influence pre-existing spinal conditions.
The study found that those with strong emotional well-being recover faster from spinal surgeries or injuries by adhering better to rehabilitation and treatment plans.
The relationship between your spine and your mind sheds light on the importance of integrative healthcare, which means that treating one condition often requires addressing the other. For instance:
Effective pain management not only reduces your physical symptoms but also helps to prevent secondary mental health issues.
Talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), alleviates mental health symptoms and reduces your perception of pain.
Active approaches like exercise release endorphins, which naturally elevate mood.
Dr. McNulty uses this integrative approach and prioritizes conservative treatments and physical rehabilitation to support your spinal and mental well-being. His philosophy emphasizes patient-first care and focuses on long-term physical and emotional health.
Understanding that mental and spinal health are interconnected is the first step toward improving your quality of life. If you're experiencing chronic pain or spinal discomfort paired with stress, anxiety, or low mood, you’re not alone, and help is available.
McNulty Spine in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada, offers expert solutions for restoring balance to your spinal and mental health connection. For an assessment guided by cutting-edge and compassionate care, call McNulty Spine or use our online form to request an appointment with Dr. McNulty.
