Studies have shown that depression and anxiety are strongly linked to many medical conditions, including back pain. Treating depression with medication seems to have a positive effect on back pain. Your "depression" may not be a change in mood, but rather a reaction of your nervous system to your injury.

After an injury, the nervous system can start to respond too quickly or strongly. This leads to chemical changes that increase pain and alter the ability to enter deep sleep. This can set up a cycle of more pain, less function, and less sleep.

Anti-depressants help in such cases. Sometimes sleep medication is also advised. Follow your doctor's advice on this, and give the medication plenty of time to work. Adjusting the dose can take six to eight weeks for a good result.