Psychosomatics of the Spine: Main Causes of Spinal Diseases on a Nervous Basis

Discomfort in the back can vary: stiffness, muscle blocks, pain, posture curvature, shoulder drooping. Problems occur in all sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral. Causes can include psychophysiological exhaustion, age-related changes, disturbances in water-salt balance, improper lifestyle, hypodynamia or excessive loads, and pregnancy period in women. However, stress plays a special role, i.e., the psychosomatics of spinal diseases.

General Psychosomatic Causes of Back Pain

The spine is a symbol of support in life. As the body relies on the spine, so does a person’s soul. The spine is an internal core. It is responsible for movement, circulation of life energy. Back pain arises from negative emotions (spine psychosomatics):

  • fears;
  • anger;
  • resentment;
  • chronic stress;
  • depression;
  • anxiety;
  • non-acceptance of oneself and others;
  • feeling of powerlessness;
  • sensation of hopelessness.

Everyone encounters difficult situations, but not everyone has the strength, abilities, and opportunities to overcome them. The lower a person’s stress resistance, the more often health deteriorations occur.

Other causes of back pain include:

  • feeling that everyone is “riding” on the person;
  • belief “I am not loved,” resulting in guilt and blaming others;
  • dwelling on the past;
  • psychological traumas and prohibition of expressing feelings;
  • low self-esteem;
  • suppression of emotions, prohibition of their expression;
  • excess of obligations and responsibilities that a person cannot handle;
  • victim role and tendency to manipulate others through guilt;
  • attempts to please others to earn attention and love;
  • uncertainty about the future and numerous fears.

Psychosomatics of Neuralgia

  • Trigeminal neuralgia speaks of suppressed aggression and blows of fate, pressure from society (more common in elderly women).
  • Causes of intercostal neuralgia on the right or left: pain, fears, guilt from the past.
  • Occipital neuralgia (occipital nerve): punishment for sins, self-blame.
  • Psychosomatics of lumbar radiculitis (sciatica – inflammation of the sciatic nerve): uncertainty about the future, unconscious fear of poverty (fear of losing what one has).

How Psychosomatics Affect Specific Diseases

The state of the spine directly depends on a person’s thoughts about support and stability in life. Remember how a weak person is called spineless. And about a strong and willful person, it is said: “he has a steel inner core.” The more confident a person is, the more actively they go through life, stand firmer on their feet, and, accordingly, have no problems with the spine. If difficulties arise in one or another sphere, various spinal diseases occur.

Important! Spinal diseases require comprehensive treatment: medication, exercise, diet, psychotherapy.

Cervical Osteochondrosis

The neck is responsible for safety, adaptability, the ability to look around (see several development options). Psychosomatics of cervical chondrosis: dissatisfaction with oneself and the world, denial of others’ opinions. Moreover, they try to impose their opinion and care on others. Typically, these are rigid, demanding, straightforward people. They are rigid in perception and decision-making.

Thoracic Osteochondrosis

Feeling of guilt, the weight of past resentments. A person continues to reproach themselves for past mistakes, tries to atone for guilt, and carry responsibility for the past in the present. Such people cannot rejoice, cannot forgive themselves and others. Back pain between the shoulder blades in children and adults indicates that the patient is afraid of disappointing others, being bad.

Lumbar Osteochondrosis

Occurs in people who could not overcome emotional or physical violence. Loneliness and pain constantly haunt them. A person with lumbar osteochondrosis hates themselves, cannot rejoice and relax, does not trust people. The patient clings to what they have. They are afraid to lose something significant and are not ready to let new people into their life.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis psychosomatics: pressure and suppression in the family and at work. Insecurity, passivity, introversion are the main traits of people with scoliosis. Interesting! The causes of scoliosis in a child’s spine are slightly different: pressure in the family, conflicts between parents. In order not to break psychologically, the child becomes physically distorted.

Chondrosis

Insecurity in oneself and others, hyper-responsibility, fears, constant tension are the psychosomatic prerequisites for osteochondrosis.

Intervertebral Hernia

A hernia of the spine according to psychosomatics means the peak of internal tension. Like the spinal fluid leaks, in a person with a hernia, suppressed negativity, unfulfilled desires, and needs leak out. For example, the reason could be a desire to change jobs and a lack of opportunities to do so. Or a person wants to break up with someone but considers the relationship “their cross,” etc.

Psychosomatics of Lumbar Spine Hernia

The lumbar region bears most of the physical load. From a psychological point of view, the lumbar region bears most of the moral load. But the specificity is that the burden that bends the back is imaginary (or the person takes on too many responsibilities, including others’). The person believes they cannot get rid of it, but in reality, it is possible to throw off the burden.

Psychosomatics of Thoracic Spine Hernia

The reason is a sense of guilt due to past mistakes. Such a person, having a negative experience, forbids themselves to experience any feelings. They kind of close their heart and live only by cold reason. Psychosomatics of pain in the lower thoracic spine: resentment and the feeling that a person is “carrying someone on their back.”

Psychosomatics of Cervical Spine Hernia

The cervical spine is responsible for flexibility of thinking. Psychosomatics interprets a hernia in this section as an inability or unwillingness of a person to listen to others’ opinions. Such a person cannot look at a situation from different sides, is not used to changing their plans. Characteristic personality traits: categoricalness, stubbornness, unwillingness to submit.

Kyphosis

The psychosomatic cause of kyphosis (backward protrusion) is excessive demands and expectations from others. However, the patient tries to meet the demands, hence suffers from fears and doubts. Against this background, perfectionism often develops.

Curvature

The spine becomes curved in those who grew up in an environment of scandals and quarrels. A person does not want to participate in this but simultaneously suffers from a sense of guilt for not being able to influence the situation. Fears and constant anticipation of negative events (quarrels, aggression, violence, scandals, conflicts) develop.

Lordosis

The curvature in lordosis (forward protrusion) forms a protective shell. A person does not want to accept help from others, tries to do everything themselves, and as they see fit.

Displacement of Vertebrae

The perception of the world, lifestyle, and behavior is reflected in the state of individual vertebrae, discs, and spinal sections. Humiliation and self-humiliation, devaluation of personal achievements, suppression of feelings and emotions, victimhood, and fear of being ridiculed without reason are the psychosomatic prerequisites for the displacement of vertebrae.

Each vertebra hides its own psychological problem and its solution (according to Louise Hay’s table):

Disc No.Mental CauseAffirmation
C–1Dependence on others' opinions, escape from life, inferiority complexEverything is going well. I am calm and focused. I trust myself and the Universe.
C–2Indecision, unwillingness to understand or accept anythingI am safe. It's safe to develop. I am one with the world and the Universe.
C–3High ambitions, excessive demands, taking on others' responsibilitiesI am responsible only for myself, and I enjoy my individuality.
C–4Suppressed tears, bitterness, and angerI allow myself to enjoy life.
C–5Fear of self-expression (fear of humiliation, ridicule)I am safe, and I am loved. I have the right to self-expression.
C–6Rigidity, resistance, attempts to control othersI move through life with ease, allowing others to make mistakes and learn from them.
C–7Inability to achieve the desired, helplessnessI let go of the past. Now I know who I am and how I am. I allow myself to be myself.
T–1Tiredness of life, a sea of obligationsI accept life and my place in it.
T–2Disconnect" from feelings due to old painIt's safe to love. I let go of the past.
T–3Communication problems, internal discordI forgive myself and others.
T–4Blaming others, judgment, criticismI know how to forgive, and it makes me free.
T–5Suppressed emotionsEverything goes its own way. I accept the flow of life and allow myself to experience all emotions.
T–6Lack of love, dissatisfaction with life, anxiety, fear of the futureI love myself. Life wishes me only the best.
T–7Inability to rejoice and enjoy lifeI allow myself to rejoice and enjoy life.
T–8Set up for failureThe Universe supports me. I am open to love.
T–9Victim role, resentment towards others and lifeI create my life.
T–10Avoiding responsibilityI am open to joy and love. I receive and give joy.
T–11Self-suppression, self-abasementI am worthy of love. I am proud of myself.
T–12Sense of danger, denial of one's right to lifeI accept and appreciate my right to life. I give and receive joy.
L–1Need for love, care, and securityThe Universe loves and supports me, living is safe.
L–2Childhood trauma, pain from the pastI have grown up and no longer depend on my parents. It's time to make my own decisions.
L–3Trauma based on sex, denial of sexuality, fear of intimacyI let go of the past, love myself, and accept my sexuality.
L–4Concerns about financial instability, fear of building a careerI stand firmly on my feet and manage my destiny.
L–5Need for security, communication problems, inability to rejoiceI deserve happiness. I ask life for what I want and gladly accept it.
SacrumAnger, stubbornness, fatigueI am strong and powerful. But I let go of the past and rely only on myself.
CoccyxGuilt, old pain, stubbornness, internal discordI love myself as I am. I live in the present and build a happy future.

Development of Spinal Diseases from a Psychosomatic Perspective

Psychosomatic interpretation of causes varies depending on the part of the spine where pain arises:

  • The thoracic spine is responsible for emotions;
  • The lumbar spine reflects self-perception;
  • The sacral spine indicates unsatisfied needs for love, feelings of loneliness, and fear of financial problems.

Interesting Fact! If a person is confident in their abilities, not afraid of obstacles, and is focused on their goals, they are unlikely to experience back problems.

Psychosomatics of the Spine According to Louise Hay

Louise Hay sees the cause as a lack of flexible support in life. Psychosomatics by section:

  • Lower part – lack of financial support;
  • Middle part – guilt, fixation on the past;
  • Upper part – need for love, suppression of feelings.

According to Lise Bourbeau

Lise Bourbeau explains spinal problems as follows:

  • Sacrum – fear of losing independence, refusal to help others.
  • Why the lower back hurts: fear of financial instability. People need material goods to feel more confident but cannot admit this to themselves or others.
  • Thoracic spine – insecurity, emotional instability.
  • Neck – excessive expectations of others, which makes it feel like everything rests on one’s shoulders.

Opinion of V. Sinelnikov

According to V. Sinelnikov, back problems reflect a lack of support and backing in life. Life is perceived as a series of trials and an unbearable burden. Such people take on others’ problems without resolving their difficulties.

Ways to Heal Psychosomatic Back Pain

The main cause of back pain should be sought in childhood. Usually, it’s due to parental attitudes and beliefs. As a child, we don’t know what’s good or bad, but we trust our parents. Unfortunately, what they give and teach isn’t always beneficial for development and future. Thus, resentments, fears, and chronic guilt arise, which only intensify over the years (if an adult realizes the problem originates from childhood).

It’s necessary to understand that now only you are responsible for your life. And only you decide whether to be happy or not. Let’s look at the healing depending on the section:

Cervical Spine:

  • Learn to analyze every situation from multiple perspectives: the good and bad it brings; what happens if you take specific actions, and what if you ignore the problem.
  • Determine what you want and what’s right from your perspective. But don’t refuse to listen to others. Don’t dismiss new ideas outright.
  • Try to detach from the situation and assess it objectively.
  • Don’t hold onto resentment and doubts. Learn to express your emotions.
  • Learn to communicate with people, avoid ambiguity.

Thoracic Spine:

  • Accept the past and let go of resentments;
  • Forgive yourself and others;
  • Love and accept yourself;
  • Allow yourself to be yourself.

Lumbar Spine:

  • Realize that all fears and worries are imaginary – everything depends on you.
  • Develop self-confidence.
  • Unlock your potential and realize your abilities.
  • Love yourself, then you will automatically believe in personal success and the universe’s help.
  • Develop positive thinking, allow yourself to enjoy life.

Treating Psychosomatic Spinal Hernias and Protrusions:

  • Eastern Chinese practices;
  • Gymnastics with auxiliary objects (ball, stick);
  • Stretching;
  • Medication;
  • Diet;
  • Overcoming past traumas.

Important! When experiencing pain and discomfort in the back, it’s essential to visit a neurologist. This is necessary for an accurate diagnosis and prescription of remedies for attack blockade. After that, it’s advisable to visit a psychotherapist to identify psychological causes and develop a life correction plan.

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