Have you ever had a stressful day at work, only to notice that your neck aches when you get home? It’s a common belief that stress can cause neck pain, although that’s not really true. However, stress and neck pain are connected in a surprising way.
At Total Care Physical Therapy, we prefer to say that stress “contributes to” neck pain rather than that it “causes” neck pain. One of the body’s physical responses to stress is to tense up the muscles, especially those in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. If you’re already dealing with neck pain, this can worsen your symptoms and make it seem as if stress is the cause.
So what does cause neck pain, especially neck pain that seems to come out of nowhere, without a clear injury? We’ll answer that question in this blog and look at how some common causes can be connected to stressful situations. We’ll explore how physical therapy can help you manage both stress and neck pain to find lasting relief.
Ready to dive in? Keep reading! Our friendly staff is also happy to answer any questions you might have, so feel free to give us a call at our Hillsborough, NJ clinic.
The Not-So-Mysterious Causes of Mysterious Neck Pain
One reason people think stress causes neck pain is that neck pain often appears without an obvious injury. For example, if you trip and fall, and your ankle hurts afterward, you know the fall is probably the culprit. But unless you’ve been in a car accident recently (or play contact sports), it can be challenging to understand where exactly your neck pain comes from.
The truth is “mysterious” neck pain usually results from multiple factors compounding over time. Here are some of the most common:
Poor Posture
- When you slouch or hunch over, you put extra strain on your neck muscles, causing muscle fatigue and pain in the process. Identifying the proper spinal alignment for your body can help reduce your risk.
Prolonged Sitting
- Many people spend hours at their desks or in front of screens, often in positions that strain their necks. Taking regular breaks to stand, stretch, and move around can alleviate this issue. Setting a timer to remind you to move can be a simple yet effective strategy to prevent discomfort.
Repetitive Activities
- Everyday activities like typing, texting, and driving can strain your neck muscles, especially when you perform them repeatedly. These small, repetitive actions can lead to inflammation and pain over time. Taking frequent breaks, using ergonomic tools, practicing good posture, and strengthening your neck muscles can all help.
If you’re struggling with “mysterious” neck pain, it likely developed due to some kind of injury to your neck’s joint or soft tissue resulting from one or more of these three factors. Even if you weren’t stressed, you’d still have neck pain–but stress can make that neck pain feel worse.
Managing Stress and Neck Pain With Physical Therapy
The team at Total Care Physical Therapy will help resolve your neck pain by working with you to determine its actual source. We’ll perform a comprehensive assessment that includes taking a health history, discussing your symptoms, and learning more about your day-to-day activities. We’ll also conduct simple screens to test your neck’s mobility and strength.
By understanding the actual cause of your neck pain, we can create a customized treatment program that suits your needs. Typically, this will include manual therapy techniques and targeted exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck, shoulders, and upper back. To help prevent future injuries, we’ll show you simple activity and lifestyle modifications to protect your neck.
And if stress is really interfering with your life, we can help you relax by walking you through some simple breathing and mindfulness exercises.
Start Your Journey to Neck Pain Relief
Stress and neck pain may not be as connected as many people believe, but thanks to the team at Total Care Physical Therapy, you do have options for resolving your neck discomfort. Schedule an appointment at our Hillsborough, NJ clinic today to get started!
