Neck Pain, Physical Therapy

Does Stress Cause Neck Pain?

Neck Pain Stress

Do you notice your neck seems to hurt more when you are stressed?

Do you find yourself rubbing your neck after a difficult day on the job? You might be suffering from stress-related neck pain. During times of high stress and anxiety, our muscles tense up. As muscles tighten, the more pressure and pain they cause. The pain and tension can interfere with our ability to work and do our daily activities. It can also interfere with the enjoyment of your life including recreational activities and spending time with friends and family. The good news is that with guidance from your physical therapist you can find solutions to your pain and how to manage your stress, so you can get back to living the life you enjoy!

Call Gold Coast Physical Therapy today to learn how we can help you to keep living the kind of life you want with less pain.

 

What is causing my neck pain?

Our neck does not like to remain in any one position for extended periods, like when you’re driving, looking down at your phone, or using a computer. Too often the posture we hold our neck is also contributing to our 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 at their best when we move them. So holding our heads in one position leads to irritation of the muscles and affects your ability to move your head and neck. This loss of mobility leads to pain and less enjoyment of your daily activities.
 

How does stress cause neck pain?

Stress-induced neck pain is fairly common. The effects of stress on the body include the release of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, that when elevated for long durations, are associated with increased pain sensitivity. The more stress we experience the more likely we will also experience pain. While chronic stress alone can trigger neck pain, a few factors can make it worse.

Office environments tend to create neck pain problems. Modern offices confine people to chairs, poor posture, and little mobility. In addition, a lot of people also spend a lot of time driving with poor posture and added stress due to traffic and road rage. The combination of all of these factors makes your chances of stress-related neck pain higher.

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