Don't Let Holiday Stress Cause Neck Pain: 3 Ways to Find Relief

There’s a strong connection between your body and your mind, and stress provides an excellent case study. Persistent pain can cause stress, but stress can also cause muscle pain and tightness. You might know that all too well as we get into the often-hectic holiday season. 

If you’re dealing with neck pain, it could be stress-related. Stress is a leading cause of this physical symptom. 

At Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine in Plano and Addison, Texas, Dr. Trace Alexander can apply his pain management expertise to help you figure out what’s going on. If your neck pain stems from holiday stress, he helps you find the right treatment(s) to get relief. 

Because neck pain from holiday stress has both physical and mental elements, Dr. Alexander might recommend care that addresses both, such as:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a treatment dating back thousands of years that can help with a wide range of conditions, including stress and localized persistent pain. Research shows that it can be a safe, effective, medication-free way to address neck discomfort. 

Acupuncture starts with a conversation with Dr. Alexander during which you discuss how you feel. This way, he can tailor the placement and number of acupuncture needles to your needs. 

If you’re worried that acupuncture might hurt, know that the needles are only about as thick as a human hair. Most people report that during insertion, they either feel nothing or the sensation of a quick, light pinch. 

Because acupuncture is a known stress-buster, this technique approaches your neck pain from two sides: the physical symptoms of pain and the underlying stress causing it.

Chiropractic care

Similarly, a chiropractic adjustment can ease your neck pain while helping alleviate your stress. 

With gentle neck manipulation, Dr. Alexander can better align your cervical spine (the part of your spine in your neck) while supporting the release of tension in nearby muscles. That addresses the physical side of your neck pain.

At the same time, the way that chiropractic adjustment relieves physical tension can signal to your body that it doesn’t need to be in such a heightened state. That helps your sympathetic nervous system relax. 

Massage therapy

Dr. Alexander may also recommend massage therapy to address your physical discomfort and stress levels. This kind of care is particularly effective for tension-related neck pain. 

During massage therapy, your provider can help loosen tight muscles, including any trigger points (muscular knots) that have developed in or around your neck. As an added benefit, massage therapy gives you a meaningful way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. 

Each of these treatments targets the physical symptoms of your neck pain while also addressing the underlying cause: the stress you feel in this or any season. 

At a time of year when you may be thinking about gifts for others, give yourself the gift of feeling better. To see what Dr. Alexander recommends for your neck pain, call our team at Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine at 972-899-9797 or book your visit online today.