Case Study: Anxiety, Low Mood and Chronic Back Pain

When stress shows up in both mind and body

 

This patient, a man in his late 30s, came to the clinic with a primary concern of anxiety and low mood, alongside ongoing lower back pain and sciatica.

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Working as a freelancer, his life involved long hours at a laptop, irregular routines, and periods of high pressure. While he hadn’t received a formal diagnosis or taken antidepressants, anxiety and depression had been present for some time and were affecting both his work and day-to-day wellbeing.

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He had already been trying to support himself through yoga, meditation, and healthy routines—but felt stuck and inconsistent, especially when symptoms flared.

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How anxiety and back pain were affecting his life

 

His symptoms were closely linked to stress and lifestyle patterns.

He described:

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• Anxiety and low mood, particularly in work settings

• Feeling mentally “frozen” or foggy during group sessions

• Difficulty accessing clarity and confidence at work

• Lower back pain affecting the lumbar spine, sacrum and coccyx

• Episodes of sciatica, mainly on the left side

 

He noticed that symptoms improved when he was able to look after himself—through good sleep, yoga, stretching, time in nature, and reduced alcohol—but worsened quickly with late nights, poor diet, prolonged sitting, or long periods without movement.

Despite knowing what helped, it was difficult to maintain consistency when pain, fatigue, and low mood took over.

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Treatment approach: acupuncture and herbal support

 

We began a short course of weekly acupuncture, alongside a bespoke herbal prescription taken twice daily.

The intention was to:

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• Support his nervous system and stress response

• Improve mental clarity and emotional balance

• Reduce pain and tension in the lower back

• Help his body better tolerate stress and irregular work patterns

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Early shifts

 

By session two, changes were already noticeable.

He reported:

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• Less physical stiffness

• Clearer thinking and improved mental focus

• Reduced lower back pain

• Mild remaining sciatic pain on the left side

 

These early improvements helped him feel more motivated and reassured that change was possible.

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Building momentum

 

By session three, his energy had noticeably increased.

He shared that:

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• He felt more energised over the weekend

• He bought a new bike and felt motivated to move more

• Back pain and sciatica were largely absent

 

That same week, he also noticed a temporary dip in energy and disrupted sleep—something we discussed as part of the body recalibrating while stress patterns began to shift.

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Outcome after five sessions

 

After four weekly sessions and a final follow-up two weeks later, the changes were clear.

By the final session:

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• He had re-established a consistent yoga and self-care routine

• Back pain and sciatica had fully resolved

• Mood felt stable and positive

• He described feeling more space, ease, and flow in his life

 

Even after a short illness disrupted his routine, he was able to return to supportive habits more easily—without falling back into pain or low mood.

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A note on anxiety, stress and pain

 

Anxiety, depression, and physical pain are often deeply connected. When the nervous system is under strain, the body frequently carries that tension—especially in the lower back.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can help regulate stress responses, reduce pain, and support people in reconnecting with routines that keep them well.

 

If anxiety, low mood, or ongoing back pain are affecting your work or quality of life, acupuncture may help support both your mental and physical wellbeing.

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You’re welcome to book an appointment or get in touch to explore whether acupuncture and herbal medicine could be a good fit for you.

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