Reducing stress isn’t just good for your emotional well-being, it can have tangible impacts on how you feel physically, as well. During periods of stress, it is not uncommon for for your muscles to tense up as part of your fight or flight response, and the tensing of muscles in your back can cause discomfort. A study performed in Europe has led to the understanding that people who are more likely to have stress and negative thoughts are more likely to suffer from pains in the lower back.