Stress, depression, and anxiety can contribute to spine degeneration through various physiological and behavioral mechanisms. Chronic stress and negative emotional states may lead to muscle tension, poor posture, and decreased physical activity, which can accelerate wear and tear on the spine over time. Additionally, stress hormones like cortisol can impair bone density and inhibit the body's ability to repair damaged tissues. Psychological factors such as depression and anxiety may also exacerbate pain perception and reduce resilience to spinal degenerative processes, ultimately impacting spinal health and function.
We spoke to Dr. Nimesh Patel, Senior Neurosurgeon, Bhailal Amin General Hospital, Vadodara, to help us understand the various ways stress affects our bone health and contributes to spine degeneration.
