If you’ve ever felt your shoulders creeping up toward your ears during a stressful day, you’re not imagining it. That tightness in your neck, that ache across your upper back, it’s very real, and yes, stress can absolutely cause physical pain.
At Re-LAX Chiropractic, we see this every week. Patients come in saying, “I didn’t lift anything heavy… but my shoulders are on fire,” or “My neck feels tight every time I’m stressed or overwhelmed.”
So, what’s actually going on in your body, and how can you fix it without just taking painkillers or pushing through?
Let’s break it down.
How Stress Affects the Body Physically
When you’re stressed, whether it’s from work, family, finances, or just daily life, your body shifts into “fight or flight” mode. That means:
Muscles tense up
Breathing becomes shallow
Heart rate increases
Blood flow moves away from your digestive and healing systems
While this was helpful for ancient survival, chronic modern stress causes the muscles around your neck, shoulders, and upper back to stay in a constant low-level contraction. That’s what leads to:
Neck stiffness
Shoulder pain
Jaw tension
Headaches
Even tingling or numbness in your arms
The Most Common Symptoms We See from Stress-Related Tension
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Here are the top complaints we hear in our clinic that are directly tied to stress:
“My shoulders are always tight, even when I’m not working out.”
“I can’t turn my neck fully in the morning.”
“I get tension headaches that start at the base of my skull.”
“My upper back feels sore like I’ve been carrying a heavy bag even when I haven’t.”
This is more than just discomfort, it’s a sign that your body is stuck in stress mode and not getting the relief it needs.
What the Science Says
Several studies have linked emotional stress with muscle tension and physical pain.
✅ A 2021 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that psychological stress increases neck and shoulder muscle activity, especially in people with desk-based jobs.
✅ The American Psychological Association states that chronic stress contributes to musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and low back.
✅ And according to Harvard Health, ongoing stress disrupts the body’s natural balance, increasing inflammation and reducing your ability to heal or relax.
How Chiropractic Helps Release
Tension from Stress
Chiropractic care isn’t just for injuries, it’s also one of the most effective, natural ways to unwind the physical effects of stress.
At Re-LAX Chiropractic, here’s how we help:
Gentle Adjustments to the Neck and Upper Spine
By restoring movement in the joints of your cervical and thoracic spine, we reduce the pressure that builds up when you’re in stress mode. You may feel a noticeable lightness or relief even after one session.
Active Release Technique (ART)
Dr. Christina Yang uses ART to gently release tight muscles like the upper traps, scalene muscles, and levator scapulae, the ones that tend to hold the most tension when you’re stressed.
Nervous System Regulation
Spinal alignment directly affects how your nervous system functions. When your spine is balanced, your nervous system can shift out of fight-or-flight and into rest-and-heal mode.
This means better sleep, digestion, focus, and less tension overall.
Lifestyle + Posture Guidance
We don’t just treat the pain. We help you understand why it’s happening and give you tools to avoid future flare-ups. That includes stretching, workspace ergonomics, sleep position tips, and more.
How to Know If Your Pain Is Stress-Related
Ask yourself:
Does my pain get worse during high-pressure days?
Do I notice tightness even when I haven’t worked out?
Do I feel better after movement, deep breathing, or rest?
If you answered yes, there’s a good chance stress is playing a major role in your neck and shoulder pain.
The good news? You can break the cycle.
📍 Visit Us:
Re-LAX Chiropractic
8929 South Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90045
🌐 https://re-laxchiropractic.com
Tired of carrying stress in your body?
Book your visit now and let’s help you feel lighter, calmer, and pain-free naturally.