Stress and Nerve Pain: What’s the Connection?

We all know stress. Between work, relationships and finances, there’s a lot to worry about. But it’s easy to overlook just how much stress affects your health. Your brain has a powerful influence over your body — from mood to muscle function. When stress builds, it can show up in unexpected ways, including nerve pain, or neuropathy.

April is Stress Awareness Month — the perfect time to explore how emotional pressure can manifest physically and what you can do to feel better. Dr. Mark Bussell, DPT, Clinical Director, breaks down the link between neuropathy and stress and offers a promising treatment approach.

Good stress vs. bad stress

Not all stress is the same. Dr. Bussell shed some light on this nuance: “There’s good stress and bad stress,” he explained. “Good stress can motivate us to achieve goals and have a sense of purpose.” It’s the healthy pressure that gets you to the finish line.

In fact, Dr. Bussell suggests that a complete absence of stress can have negative consequences. “Our systems are designed to function with a certain level of stress to keep us sharp and engaged,” he said.

Bad stress is where the trouble begins. This is the relentless pressure that weighs you down and causes feelings of anxiety, fear or depression. It can trigger physical responses that disrupt your body’s normal function.

How stress affects nerves

When you’re under stress, your body’s sympathetic nervous system — the fight or flight response — kicks in. It triggers a series of reactions to help you handle a perceived threat. One of those responses is an activated immune system and increased inflammation, which can restrict blood flow to your nerves.

When nerves don’t get the circulation they need, you might feel a tingling, burning or sharp, shooting pain sensation. Over time, this process can turn into a frustrating cycle: more stress leads to more pain. More pain fuels more stress.

The far-reaching effects of stress

Nerve pain isn’t the only way stress can show up in your life. It usually appears in other ways first. You might notice you have:

• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Feelings of anxiety, irritability or depression
• Ongoing fatigue or low energy
• Trouble sleeping

If stress goes unmanaged for too long, it can increase your risk for more serious health conditions, like high blood pressure, digestive problems and a weakened immune system. The good news is that many of these effects are often manageable — and in many cases, preventable — with the right strategies and support.

Holistic stress management for nerve pain

Dr. Bussell emphasizes that good pain management starts with a holistic approach. That means taking care of your body, mind and spirit to address the root sources of stress. He suggests incorporating these stress-relieving strategies into your everyday routine:

• Adequate rest: Sleep is crucial for physical and mental recovery.
• Biofeedback: Some apps and smart devices can help you monitor stress indicators.
• Counseling: Seeking support from a therapist can provide tools for coping with stress.
• Healthy eating: A balanced diet with fewer carbs and more fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins can stabilize energy levels and reduce stress.
• Physical activity: Regular exercise, even walking, can release tension and improve mood.
• Reduced screen time: Spending less time on devices limits exposure to constant TV and social media stimulation.
• Self-awareness: Regular reflection can help pinpoint stress triggers as you develop healthy coping mechanisms.
• Spirituality: Finding a sense of faith, purpose and connection can be a powerful defense against stress.

Intraneural Facilitation^® Treatment: A one-of-a-kind therapeutic approach

One innovative therapy developed by Dr. Bussell is Intraneural Facilitation (INF)^® Treatment. It’s a noninvasive treatment designed to regulate nerve activity and reduce pain caused by inflammation or stress-induced tension.

INF^® works by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the “rest and digest” counterpart to the “fight or flight” response. Think of it this way: while stress revs you up, the parasympathetic system calms you down. It promotes relaxation, slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure and reduces inflammation.

The treatment uses three physical holds to stretch specific nerve areas and restore blood flow. “By activating this system, INF^® counteracts the effects of stress and alleviates nerve pain,” Dr. Bussell explained. His research has even demonstrated that this treatment can improve heart rate variability, a key indicator of your body’s resilience to stress.