Does Stress Cause Neck Pain?
Does stress cause neck pain? The short answer is no! At PTI, 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.
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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.
Our Patients Get Great Results
“The Physical Therapy Ins. in Monroeville has been really a BIG help to me. I had some issues and needed to go to physical therapy. The staff at this facility has been very helpful along with respectful. I have exercises that they gave me to do at home and when I come in for therapy I am feeling good when I leave. I have been dealing with pain for lots of years and it really feels good when you can leave a place and feel pain free. I have taken muscle relaxers for at least 10 years and for the last 3 weeks I have not had to take any and to me that speaks VOLUMES.” – F.R.
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!
Recipe of the Month: Salmon Burgers
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless salmon fillets about 1lb 4oz in total, cut into chunks
- 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
- thumb-size piece fresh root ginger, grated
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 bunch coriander, half chopped, half leaves picked
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- lemon wedges, to serve
For the salad:
- 2 carrots
- half large or 1 small cucumber
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp golden caster sugar
Instructions:
- Tip the salmon into a food processor with the paste, ginger, soy and chopped coriander. Pulse until roughly minced.
- Tip out the mix and shape into 4 burgers. Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan, then fry the burgers for 4-5 mins on each side, turning until crisp and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, use a swivel peeler to peel strips of carrot and cucumber into a bowl. Toss with the vinegar and sugar until the sugar has dissolved, then toss through the coriander leaves.
- Divide the salad between 4 plates. Serve with the burgers and rice.
Sitting is the New Smoking: 3 Tips For Staying Active
Think about your typical day. How much of it is spent sitting? If you’re like most people, the answer is–a lot. We sit at our desks for work. We sit in a car to run errands. We sit on the couch to watch TV at night. All this sitting is having a big impact on our health. In addition to contributing to back pain, prolonged sitting raises our risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Fortunately, you don’t have to train like an Olympic athlete to counteract the negative effects of sitting–all it takes is a few simple tweaks to your day!
- Tip 1: Take frequent breaks. If you have a desk job, set a timer to remind you to get up every 30 – 60 minutes to move around. Take a few minutes to grab some water, walk around the office, or stretch.
- Tip 2: Stretch while you watch TV. If you love to relax in front of the TV, incorporate some stretches as you watch your favorite shows.
- Tip 3: Pick up a new hobby. Movement-based leisure activities are a great way to incorporate movement into your day–and you aren’t limited to sports, either. Gardening, dance classes, and walking groups are all excellent options.
Want to learn more about the risks of sitting–and how to avoid them? Schedule an appointment with PTI today!