Does Stress Cause Neck Pain?
Does stress cause neck pain? The short answer is no! At Taylor Rehab Physical Therapy, we like to say “contributes to” instead of “causes.” The casual way healthcare professionals throw around terms can lead to confusion and, worse still, ineffective treatment. Fortunately, our highly skilled therapists know how to dig deep and find the root cause of your neck pain, and this information helps you find relief!
Let’s discuss Nicole, a 40-something-year-old working mother of three. Nicole was used to being very active, balancing her work schedule with getting her kids to all the various activities and school functions that come with being a mom nowadays.
Her neck pain first started as a crick in the neck when she woke up one morning. As the day progressed from driving her kids around to sitting at her desk, she noticed that turning her head became more difficult and painful, making focusing on work nearly impossible.
Nicole struggled to figure out why her neck started hurting and came to the conclusion that stress “must be” the culprit. The more pain and difficulty moving she had, the more convinced she was that stress was to blame.
Understanding Nicole’s Neck Pain
One of the most common things we hear from our patients is that their pain started for “no apparent reason.” Like Nicole, people will wake up with a crick in their neck or notice a stiffness turning when driving in the car. It is also common for people to notice tightness in their upper back and neck after a long day.
So, what is actually the source of the pain? In most cases, there is an issue with the neck joints or the neck muscles due to prolonged positions. Our neck joints don’t like remaining in any position for extended periods. In Nicole’s case, she first noticed her pain in the morning, which may have been related to her neck position while sleeping. It is also important to note that in Nicole’s case, the first sign of any issue was in the morning when she woke up, unrelated to stress.
As Nicole’s day progressed, her pain got worse. But this also was more likely related to how she held her neck while driving or sitting at her computer. In both cases, her posture, specifically how she held her neck, seems to have contributed to her pain. Prolonged sitting can lead to a forward head position, resulting in tension to soft tissue (i.e., muscles, tendons, and ligaments) or negative changes to our blood flow.
The muscles of our neck function best when we move them. So, holding her head in one position likely led to irritation of the muscles and affected her ability to move her neck, which in turn caused stress.
Stress “contributes” to neck pain because, when we experience stress, our bodies naturally respond by tensing up as a protective measure. This tension can lead to discomfort, particularly in the neck and upper back region. Research studies have found that individuals with higher stress levels reported increased neck pain as compared to those with lower stress levels. This is why we say “contributes” to, but not the cause of, neck pain.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Alleviate Neck Pain
We will target the source of your pain by performing a thorough examination, starting with your medical history and details about how, when, and where your symptoms began. As we saw with Nicole, determining how, when, and why the pain started helps us eliminate possibilities and get to the actual root cause(s).
Our therapists will also analyze your posture and movement to identify any limitations or restrictions contributing to your condition. We’ll use this information to design a program that addresses your specific needs.
Our treatment plans focus on relieving your pain and improving your posture, mobility, strength, etc., and educating you about managing your symptoms. Your program will likely include manual therapy (i.e., soft tissue work and/or joint mobilizations), targeted stretches, exercises, activity modification, or posture recommendations.
We’ll listen to your unique situation and specific issues and then work to help you find relief and get back to your normal routine.
Book Your Appointment Today!
If you’re dealing with neck pain or looking for someone to help you figure out what is causing your issues, call us today and set up a consultation!
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Separating Muscle and Joint Pain:
The Key to Lasting Results
Do you notice tightness in your upper back and neck? Is it more tight on one side than on the other? The location and characteristics of your neck pain are valuable clues for our skilled McKenzie trained therapists at Taylor Rehab Physical Therapy to identify the likely culprit for your pain, which helps us guide you to lasting relief.
Ready to unlock the secret to lasting relief from neck and upper back pain? Don't ignore those subtle signs — reach out to our skilled physical therapists today, and let us help you resolve your pain once and for all!
Neck Pain — Muscle vs. Joint
It can be difficult for people to determine where their pain originates. One of the most common reasons people describe their pain is "no apparent reason." It often seems to come out of the blue or while doing the same everyday things you usually do.
You can use these clues to point you in the right direction:
Pain on one side = joint pain
Although this, and all other clues, is not 100% true, it is a good starting point. Muscle tension tends to be on both sides of the neck and equally distributed, whereas joint pain is typically one-sided.
Difficulty or inability to turn = joint dysfunction.
Muscle tension tends to make movement uncomfortable or to feel tight on the opposite side of where you're turning towards (pain on the left when turning right). Joint dysfunction usually causes the inability to turn or the sensation of a blockage when turning to the same side as the pain (pain on the right when turning right).
Pain that travels = joint.
Muscles tend to feel tight and sore in the muscles themselves, compared to joint pain, which travels from the source of pain up into the head or down into the shoulder blade or upper shoulder area.
These clues can help us determine what is causing your pain, but the best way to get lasting relief is to schedule an appointment with one of our McKenzie therapists!
Stay Active Without Overheating
Put the cool factor back into your workout routine this summer. Staying hydrated, listening to your body, and making a few smart adjustments can help you exercise safely while continuing to build strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
Cool Down Before You Start
Hop into a cold shower before exercising. Research suggests a pre-workout cooldown can lower your heart rate and body temperature, helping you perform better in hot weather.
Choose Cooler Routes
Walk, run, or cycle on dirt and gravel paths whenever possible. These surfaces absorb less heat than asphalt and concrete, making outdoor workouts feel much more comfortable.
Use Cooling Essential Oils
A few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil on your neck and temples can create a refreshing cooling sensation while helping open nasal passages during humid conditions.
Train Smarter With Intervals
Maintain conditioning by exercising at a slightly easier pace while adding short 30-second bursts of speed every few minutes for an efficient workout.
Refuel With Fruit
Watermelon, grapes, cantaloupe, and honeydew contain over 80% water, making them excellent post-workout snacks for hydration and recovery.
Hydrate Consistently
One of the most important summer fitness habits is staying hydrated before, during, and after exercise to help prevent fatigue, overheating, and muscle cramps.
Make Summer Your Strongest Season Yet
With the right preparation and a few heat-smart strategies, you can continue exercising safely throughout the summer while enjoying all the benefits of an active lifestyle.
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Exercise of the Month
SHOULDER SHRUGS
Stand tall with your arms at your sides, holding a dumbbell in each hand (optional). Slowly lift your shoulders up toward your ears in a shrugging motion. Hold briefly at the top, then lower your shoulders back down with control.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: optional dumbbells)
Strawberry & Banana Popsicles
Cool off with these naturally sweet homemade popsicles packed with fresh strawberries, banana, and creamy vanilla yogurt. They're refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for hot summer days.
Ingredients
- 1 pound strawberries, washed and stems removed
- 1 large ripe banana
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- Sugar to taste (optional)
Directions
- Add the strawberries, banana, milk, and vanilla yogurt to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste the mixture and add sugar if desired.
- Pour into popsicle molds or small paper cups.
- Insert popsicle sticks or handles.
- Freeze until firm, preferably overnight.
- Enjoy your homemade frozen treat the next day!
Taylor Rehab Reviews 🌟
"I highly recommend Taylor Rehab for physical therapy. John Gilbert was amazing throughout my recovery. He was attentive, encouraging, and created the best treatment plan specifically for my needs. He stayed determined to help me reach my goals, kept me on task, and always helped me stay positive that I would eventually heal.
My plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis kept me from walking normally and caused me to stop playing tennis. Thanks to John’s knowledge, skill, support, and dedication, I’ve made tremendous progress!
I can now walk without pain and I’m back to the activity I love (aka tennis)!
I’m very grateful for the care I received from John and the support team at Taylor Rehab. You all are the best!”
-5-Star Google Review
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