The nicotine in tobacco can trick the body into feeling good — at first. It triggers the release of chemicals, like dopamine, which give off a satisfying, “reward” sensation. It’s part of what makes smoking so addictive.
But that same tobacco also impairs the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to your bones and tissues. Decreasing blood and nutrient flow can cause degeneration, particularly in discs of the spine, which already have more limited blood flow. The result can be lower back pain and sometimes osteoporosis.
Physicians also link smoking with fatigue and slower healing, factors that make painful conditions more prominent. Researchers are exploring even more physiological reasons why smoking makes people with fibromyalgia, arthritis and other chronic pain hurt more.
“Almost everyone knows smoking can cause cancer, lung disease and cardiovascular disease,” says Dr. Amara.
“But not everyone realizes that smoking can make your pain worse.”
To make matters worse, when smokers suffer from debilitating pain, potentially life-changing treatments may not work.
Quitting smoking greatly improves your health and well being while aiding your pain relief journey.
Overall, the recovery is much faster.
