Stress and Neck Pain: Managing Tension for a Healthier Neck

Maria (not her real name) just had a long, stressful day at work–a major project was due at the end of the day, but she still had to sit in on multiple Zoom meetings. By the time she left the office, it was nearly 7:30 in the evening, and her neck was killing her. Clearly, stress and neck pain go hand in hand.

Well–sort of. While the two are often linked, stress doesn’t actually cause neck pain. Instead, stress can cause your body to tighten muscles in your neck and shoulders. This then exacerbates underlying issues, making the pain more noticeable and harder to manage.

So, what does cause neck pain? It can stem from various causes, including poor posture and spending a long time in one position–which is why people report neck pain after a long day at work.

There’s no denying that stress and neck pain can both dramatically affect your day-to-day life. But by addressing the underlying causes of your neck pain with the team at TOP Physical Therapy, you can at least reduce that discomfort so you can focus on managing stress effectively, too.

Curious to learn how we do it? Keep reading!

Neck Pain at the Office: What’s Really Causing Your Discomfort?

First, let’s explore the connection between stress and neck pain in more detail, especially for office workers.

Let’s go back to Maria’s experience. While it was easy for her to assume stress caused her neck pain, what was the real culprit? There are a couple of possibilities:

Possibility #1: The Zoom Meetings

• Online meetings may be convenient, but they can leave you holding an awkward posture for a long time–especially if you don’t have your computer monitor set up in an ergonomically friendly position.

Possibility #2: No Breaks

• Maria was determined to submit her project on time, which meant sitting down in front of her computer and getting up until she was done. Unfortunately, a prolonged sedentary position can strain your upper back and neck muscles, especially if it’s a long-term habit.

Possibility #3: An Injury That Had Nothing to Do with the Office

• Because Maria developed her neck pain after a long day on the job, she wasn’t thinking about the fact that she had swum laps a few days earlier for the first time in several months. Her form wasn’t as good as it could have been, and she’d noticed a dull ache the following day–then promptly forgot about it as the work project took over her life.

Possibility #4: A Combination of All Three Factors

• In all likelihood, all three of those factors contributed to Maria’s neck pain. Then, because of the stress of attending meetings and frantically finishing up her project, she spent most of the day tensing up her upper back and neck muscles, exacerbating the muscle strain that was already there.

How Can Physical Therapy Help Address Stress and Neck Pain

Fortunately for Maria (and anyone else struggling with neck pain), physical therapy is a highly effective way to address the issue. It offers personalized care to relieve discomfort and improve quality of life.

We start the process with a thorough physical assessment by one of our skilled physical therapists. This evaluation helps determine the exact cause of your neck pain, whether it stems from poor posture, muscle tension, or other factors.

Once we’ve identified the cause, we’ll create a tailored treatment plan to address your specific needs. These plans typically include a combination of hands-on manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, ergonomic adjustments, and simple lifestyle modifications (like taking frequent breaks from your desk or devices).

And if stress is really impacting your life, we can suggest some stress reduction techniques, like deep breathing exercises or a daily walking regimen.

Ready to Say Goodbye to Neck Pain?

Stress is bad enough. Don’t add neck pain to the mix, too! If you notice any discomfort in your neck, schedule an appointment at TOP Physical Therapy’s Sterling Heights clinic to get it taken care of before it becomes a problem.