Does stress cause neck pain? The short answer is no! At PTPro 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.
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!
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🧠 Stress & Neck Pain: Myth or Fact?
Test your knowledge about stress, posture, and neck pain!
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🌟 Staff Spotlight 🌟
Meet one of the passionate professionals helping patients stay active and strong.
Alice Wong
Physical Therapist
Alice graduated from the University of Washington in 1997 and continues to pursue advanced education in manual therapy and neuromuscular retraining. She combines hands-on care, yoga, Pilates, and functional strengthening to help patients recover confidently and return to the activities they love.
With experience treating post-surgical patients, runners, endurance athletes, and yoga enthusiasts, Alice brings a highly personalized approach to rehabilitation. Outside the clinic, she enjoys running, hiking, rafting, mountain biking, skiing, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
PRO Sports Club of Bellevue
4/22/02 – 6/30/06Treated patients with spine and joint injuries related to trauma, sports, and repetitive stress while collaborating with personal trainers to transition patients into independent conditioning programs. Also provided ergonomic consultations, injury prevention education, and treatment for pregnant and post-natal women with SI joint and low back dysfunction.
Pac Med Totem Lake Clinic
10/12/98 – 4/19/02Provided orthopedic evaluations and treatment with a strong emphasis on individualized home programs, diabetic foot care, and patient education focused on ulcer and infection prevention.
Therapist Unlimited
3/16/98 – 10/98Worked across multiple rehab facilities and hospitals treating post-surgical and general medical patients in a variety of clinical environments.
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 PTPro Physical Therapy to identify the likely culprit for your pain, which helps us guide you to lasting relief.
Ready to unlock the secret to lasting relief from neck and upper back pain? Don’t ignore those subtle signs — reach out to our skilled physical therapists today, and let us help you resolve your pain once and for all!
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
Difficulty or inability to turn = joint dysfunction
Pain that travels = joint
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!
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Maximize Your Summer Fitness
Getting active during the summer can be both fun and challenging, but with guidance from PT Pro Physical Therapy, you can stay energized, move safely, and enjoy an active season with confidence.
Get an Assessment
Start with a professional movement evaluation.A comprehensive assessment can identify hidden issues and help create a personalized fitness plan that minimizes injury risk.
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Listen carefully to aches and discomfort.Never ignore pain—addressing symptoms early with a physical therapist can help prevent more serious injuries.
June Word Scramble
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unesecnsr
emrmus
dnelomea
iaordungta
Answer Key
strawberries
vacation
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summer
lemonade
graduation
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“Living in a place with 5 PT clinics around me, I will drive 30 minutes to this place. The staff at PTPro is incredible, from the front desk to the physical therapists. Not only did they treat my pain, but they also taught me how to improve what I needed in order to prevent the pain from coming back. I cannot recommend this place enough.”
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