stress-related neck pain

Can stress-related neck pain be treated?

Stress-related neck pain is very common. It’s estimated that more than 1 billion people every year experience stress-related neck pain. This is a problem because this neck pain can make it difficult to get through your work or daily activities, and it can cause pain to spread into your head and turn into a headache.

In many cases, stress-related neck pain is temporary, but for some people, it sticks around for a while, which doesn’t help with the stress at all. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help.

Treating stress-related neck pain with physical therapy

Treatments for any condition are always subject to personal factors, such as the cause of your condition and your age, weight and medical history. However, in many cases of stress-related neck pain, people can find positive results with physical therapy.

Stress-related neck pain usually develops due to poor posture, such as sitting with your head forward or with hunched shoulders for a long time. Stress itself can also make the muscles become more tense and cause your blood vessels to dilate. Tension in the muscles is painful and limits the movement of your neck, as well as causing headaches to occur along with your neck pain.

Physical therapists are skilled at addressing these issues because of the wide range of treatment options they offer, including:

  • Gentle stretches and exercises — Stretching and exercising are important parts of any physical therapy treatment. The goal is to increase strength and flexibility of your muscles and soft tissue. Stronger and more flexible muscles and tissue are less prone to tension and can help keep pressure off the nerves in your spine.
  • Soft tissue mobilization — Soft tissue mobilization is a hands-on technique that can help reduce pain and improve your range of motion. Your physical therapist can also use soft tissue mobilization to help break up scar tissue that is causing your pain.
  • Posture guidance — Poor posture increases pressure on your muscles and spine, which makes stress-related neck pain and headaches worse. Your physical therapist can examine your posture and help you make adjustments that can improve your condition.
  • Patient education — Your physical therapist can make recommendations for nutritional improvements, lifestyle changes and stress-relieving techniques that can help reduce and prevent stress-related neck pain.

Visit SOL Physical Therapy for neck pain treatment

Are you constantly struggling with stress-related neck pain and headaches? Our team at SOL Physical Therapy can provide treatments like those above and more. Contact our team today for more information about stress-related neck pain or to schedule an initial appointment. 

About the author

Sports + Orthopedic Leaders Physical Therapy & Performance Training serves the communities of Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Orinda, San Francisco and beyond. SOLPT’s award winning team of Physical Therapists, Performance Coaches and movement experts has helped thousands reach their rehabilitation and performance goals to move beyond pain. We're committed to helping anyone of any fitness level move effectively and more powerfully for a lifetime. We offer rehabilitation and performance services to all populations, with specialties in Sports Rehabilitation, Active Release Techniques, and Manual Therapy Techniques plus Personal and Small Group Training, Sport Clinics and Wellness Services.

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