Does stress cause neck pain? The short answer is no! At Terry Physical Therapy, we like to say “contributes to” instead of “cause.” 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 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.
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!
Seasonal Recipe
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
(recommended: Nutella)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In another medium bowl combine the butter, chocolate hazelnut spread, sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream the ingredients together, about 4 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir in the flour mixture until just combined. Add the hazelnuts and stir until just combined. Using a tablespoon measure, spoon out the cookie dough onto a cookie sheet, spacing the mounds about 4 inches apart. Use the tines of a fork to flatten the cookie dough. Bake until lightly golden around the edges, about 10 to 12 minutes. Use a metal spatula to transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let cool.
Happy Holidays from Terry Physical Therapy! 🎄
Happy Holidays from all of us at Terry Physical Therapy! 🎄✨ As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our community. Whether you’ve come to us for healing, support, or simply to keep moving, it’s been an honor to help you on your wellness journey.
Wishing you and your loved ones a season filled with joy, warmth, and good health. Here’s to a wonderful holiday and a bright, active New Year ahead! 🎉
Exercise of the Month
Neck Stretching
Start by sitting up straight in a chair. Gently pull your arm across your body and slightly forward toward your opposite knee. Then, slowly tilt your head away from the direction you are pulling your arm in and feel the stretch in the side of your neck. Repeat 2 sets, 1 rep each.
You Deserve to Feel Your Best!
Ready to continue your progress? Schedule your next appointment with Terry Physical Therapy today, and let’s get you back to feeling your best! Whether you’re recovering from an injury or maintaining your wellness, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
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Thanksgiving with Terry PT!
5 Healthy Eating Resolutions
What’s your New Year’s resolution this January? Many individuals choose the New Year as a perfect time to start getting healthier and improving their diet. If this is your resolution, stick around to discover 5 ways you can eat healthier.
1. Drink more water
Drinking water is one of the most essential actions you can take to improve your short and long-term health. Dehydration can affect concentration, alertness, short-term memory, and can cause fatigue. Drinking enough water each day also helps support your kidney health and your physical performance. The benefits go on and on!
2. Eat more Omega-3s
Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods may help you maintain a healthy blood pressure. According to research, omega-3 fatty acids can help improve your mood, which is something we all need during the short, dark days of winter.
Aim for two servings of fish per week, preferably fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and some types of tuna high in omega-3s. Not a fan of fish? Choose walnuts and flax as good non-fish sources of omega-3s.
3. Substitute meat with tofu
Did you know that restricting your meat intake is good for the environment and your heart? When you substitute soy for meat, you will naturally consume less saturated fat. While tofu lacks authentic flavor, this is what makes it so versatile—it absorbs the flavors of a stir-fry sauce or marinade like a sponge, making it taste fantastic!
4. Cut back on salt
Excessive salt consumption can raise blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Watch how much salt you add to your food and avoid high salt snacks– like potato chips.
5. Limit your sugar intake
Too much sugar is not only bad for our teeth, but it also increases the risk of unhealthy weight gain and obesity, which can lead to severe and long-term health issues. Instead of selecting sugary drinks, opt for cool refreshing water. You can also replace sweets and candy with healthy snacks, like carrots and hummus.
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Meet Our Team
Administration
Marsha Terry
RN MSN- Administrator
Letty Rosales
Office Manager
Monica Gutierrez
Billing Manager
