Did you know that smoking can increase your risk of lower back pain? According to the experts at O’Fallon Pain Relief Associates in St. Charles County, MO, researchers have found several connections between cigarette use and chronic discomfort. Here, the seasoned pain relief team explains what you need to know about how smoking is linked to pain—and how quitting can help you find relief.

Smoking Increases Blood Pressure

A Johns Hopkins University study on smoking and lower back pain examined 1,337 physicians who were graduates of the university between 1948 and 1964. Data was collected for nearly 50 years, and tracked the subjects’ health changes during that period. Researchers concluded that a history of smoking and high blood pressure are closely associated with the development of back pain.

Cigarettes Impact Brain Activity

Study results published in the journal Human Brain Mapping suggest smokers are more likely to experience chronic pain than nonsmokers because cigarette use interferes with a brain circuit related to the perception of pain signals. Bogdan Petre of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine led the study that suggests smokers who quit could reduce their risk of developing back pain.

Quitting Helps Reduce Pain Signals

Brain scans taken during the Northwestern study indicated that smokers had an increased risk of pain because they had stronger connections between two areas of the brain that affect addictive behavior and motivated learning than nonsmokers had. A stronger connection means less ability to resist or recover from chronic pain. The research team determined that smokers are three times more likely to develop back pain than nonsmokers.

The study also shows that when people quit smoking, they experience a dramatic drop in this brain circuit's activity. As the connections weakened, the former smokers became less vulnerable to pain signals.

If smoking has led to chronic back pain, and you want noninvasive relief, the professionals at O’Fallon Pain Relief Associates are ready to help. Call (636) 978-3000 to speak with a pain management team member, or visit their website to request an appointment and learn more about their approach to health care.