Does Stress Cause Neck Pain?
Does stress cause neck pain? The short answer is no! At Beyond Limits 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.
Innovative Approaches to Physical Wellness This Thanksgiving Season
Thanksgiving is more than just a day of feasting; it’s a time to come together and celebrate what we’re thankful for. While traditional advice often emphasizes the basics, let’s elevate your approach to physical well-being this season with these cutting-edge tips:
Dynamic Warm-Up Before the Turkey Trot
If you’re planning a Thanksgiving morning run or family games, forget old-school stretching. Use a dynamic warm-up to prep your muscles and boost your range of motion.
Text Neck Prevention
As we catch up on social media or text friends and family Thanksgiving wishes, “text neck” can be a real issue. Counteract this by sitting tall or not at all and doing neck stretches every hour.
Mindfulness Through Movement
Instead of sitting to meditate or relax, try combining mindfulness with gentle movements like Tai Chi or a light stroll through the neighborhood.
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 Beyond Limits Physical Therapy to identify the likely culprit for your pain, which helps us guide you to lasting relief.
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!
Dumbbell Front Raise
The dumbbell front raise targets the front of the shoulders, building strength and stability that supports everyday lifting, reaching, and carrying.
Stand tall with a dumbbell in each hand, arms resting in front of your thighs and palms facing your body.
Keeping your arms straight (but not locked), slowly raise both arms in front of you to shoulder height.
Pause briefly, then lower back down with control.
You don’t need a doctor’s permission slip to start feeling better.
Not everyone knows this, but if you’re dealing with pain or an injury—new, old, or “I’ve-had-this-forever”—you can go straight to a physical therapist. Yep, in all 50 states! That means you can book an appointment with one of our amazing therapists and get help sooner rather than later.
This magical little thing is called Direct Access. In simple terms? It means you can see a physical therapist when you want, without first visiting a physician or medical provider. Physical therapists are trained to assess and treat injuries on their own, and they do it every day.
Have You Met Your Deductible This Year?
If you’ve already met your insurance deductible in 2026, now is the perfect time to schedule your physical therapy visits before your benefits reset in January. Take advantage of the coverage you’ve already paid for, put any remaining FSA/HSA funds to use before they expire, and head into the new year feeling your best. Call us today to get on the schedule before the year-end rush fills up!
Patient Success
“I had such a great experience throughout my recovery journey. They not only designed a specific plan for me to follow but also checked my leg muscles and strength often to see my progress. I worked closely with Jake and he did a fantastic job by proving guidance and fixing the technique. Also, depending on my pain or discomfort, he changed the exercises, so I will feel better and get to my normal level again. Extremely grateful for their help!”
Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Ginger Chicken & Vegetable Soup
This warming, one-pot soup pairs turmeric and fresh ginger with tender chicken and vegetables for a nourishing, anti-inflammatory meal that’s perfect as the weather cools down. It comes together easily and reheats well for leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp black pepper (aids turmeric absorption)
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped kale or spinach
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the garlic, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the kale or spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted.
- Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice, and season with salt to taste. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
