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Stress & Neck Pain

Stress and neck pain go hand in hand. Stress can affect you physically and emotionally. A hint of stress sends signals through the nervous system that causes the neck muscles to tighten. Although leading a stress-free life would be ideal, there are ways to manage stress and prevent it.

  1. Physical Stress

    • When the body undergoes physical stress, it strains the muscles and tissues. Physical stress can cause pain in parts of the nervous system. Unmanaged physical stress can cause permanent damage, especially to the heart muscles. Physical stress can be triggered by too little exercise or overworking the body during exercise.

    Emotional Stress

    • Most people are familiar with emotional stress that is expressed in forms of anxiety, anger, frustration, worry and fear. Emotional stress can be triggered by events, a crisis, work or relationship trouble. This type of stress can lead to physical stress that builds tension in the muscles.

    Diet

    • Stress uses up so much energy that it drains the body of many nutrients. You can replace those nutrients and maintain them daily with foods rich in calcium, magnesium, fatty acids, selenium and vitamins A, B, C and E. Eat vitamin-rich and mineral-rich fruits and vegetables such as oranges, spinach, leafy greens, apples, sunflower seeds, salmon, tuna, and berries to keep your immune system strong. Avoid chocolate, coffee, tea and soft drinks that increase stress levels.

    Treatment

    • Relief for stress and neck pain involves rest, relaxation and recovery. Be certain to work out, take breaks at work and get at least seven hours of restful sleep. When you feel neck pain coming on, practice deep breathing or visualization. Dim the lights. Close your eyes and listen to soothing nature sounds or soft jazz. Exercises such as yoga and Pilates can help relax and stretch the muscles. A massage treatment is effective at helping the muscles recover through relaxation and elimination of toxins.

    Prevention

    • Prevent stress-related neck pain with improved posture, exercise and stretching. Take two five-minute breaks an hour at work or home. Stand up and walk away from your computer. Grab a healthy snack, drink water and stretch. Sitting at a computer for long periods can put stress on the neck and back. Other prevention tips to help relieve stress on the neck involve ergonomic office computer furniture such as a keyboard and chair. Adjust your computer monitor to eye level. Be certain you use good posture when sitting at the computer and when traveling in the car.

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