Does Stress Cause Neck Pain?
— July 2025 Newsletter —
Does stress cause neck pain? The short answer is no! At Aspen Rehab, 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!
Patient
Success Stories
“5 Stars and 2 Thumbs up! The care and professionalism of everyone on the staff is first class all the way!“
— Jack B.
“I went there after an ACL surgery, and my knee has had so much improvement. The therapists are very nice and knowledgeable.“
— Ty
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Tim Weyant, Physical Therapist | Aspen Rehab Director
If you’re still struggling with pain and mobility after an orthopedic surgery, call us to schedule an appointment. We’ll work together to find a plan that suits your needs and goals!
Feel Better by Eating Better!
Golden Gazpacho with Minted Cream
Fresh, mint-flecked cream is an elegant final touch to this summery soup of yellow tomatoes, peppers, and squash. This recipe originally appeared in The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Vegetable Cookbook by Brent Ridge, Sandy Gluck, and Josh Kilmer-Purcell.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. yellow tomatoes, cored and cut into large chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into large chunks
- 1 small yellow squash (4 ounces), cut into large chunks
- 2 shallots, peeled and halved
- 1 cup carrot juice
- 2 Tbsp. sherry wine vinegar
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Step 1 In a blender, combine tomatoes, bell pepper, squash, shallots, carrot juice, vinegar, and salt; purée until smooth. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until chilled.
Step 2 In a small saucepan of boiling water, cook the mint leaves for 10 seconds to set the color. Drain and rinse under cold water. Squeeze dry and finely chop. Transfer to a small bowl with sour cream and stir to combine.
Step 3 Serve soup in chilled bowls and top each with a dollop of minted sour cream.
https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a5197/golden-gazpacho-minted-cream-recipe-clx0614
Exercise of the Month
SHOULDER SHRUGS
Stand or sit with arms relaxed at your sides. Lift your shoulders up toward your ears, squeeze briefly, then relax them back down. Repeat to strengthen and relax the upper trapezius muscles.
Team Spotlight
Tim Weyant
Physical Therapist
Executive Director/ Owner
Ana Silva Bazanta
Physical Therapist
Vesna Radivojevic
Physical Therapist Assistant
Erika Davila
Marketing Director/ Computer Technology
Andrea Weyant
Chief Operating Officer
Kimberley Friedmann
Physical Therapist Assistant
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
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