Dr. Linda Carroll, a professor in the U of A Department of Public Health Sciences, led the study that shows depression is a risk factor for onset of severe neck and low back pain. The study is published in the journal Pain. Carroll and her colleagues followed a random sample of nearly 800 adults without neck and low back pain and found that people who suffer from depression are four times as likely to develop intense or disabling neck and low back pain than those who are not depressed.
There are two broad ways people can cope with pain, Carroll said. One is to be passive, which entails such things as withdrawing from activities because of the pain or wishing for better pain medication. The other is to be active, which entails getting exercise and staying busy, for example.
"We're wondering if depression leads people to cope passively when they experience the kinds of mild pain episodes that most of us are periodically subject to. This in turn may increase the likelihood that pain will become a problem in someone's life."
Dr Nick here... this makes perfect sense, doesn't it? There is no separation at all between the health of your mind and body, so of course a problem in either can manifest in either. But one thing we know, passive coping with pain and/or depression is usually not the best route. Ask your doctor (of chiropractic) to help you design the best ACTIVE care for you. Both mind and body will get better faster...