When we are feeling stressed, our bodies can hold this tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, which can create pain. In fact, neck pain is one of the more common symptoms of stress.

There are a variety of stretches you can do to help with this pain. Check out some options by going to the link below, where you will find videos to help you do several of these various exercises:

https://www.spine-health.com/video/3-easy-neck-exercises-neck-pain-video

But, keep in mind that while stress can be the cause of neck pain, that doesn’t mean there may not be other, potentially more serious, factors at play. Don’t hesitate to seek out the care of a medical expert for your neck pain, especially if this pain lingers or intensifies.

In addition to these stretches, are the other things I can do to get relief?

Yes, you can try these different options:

• Place a warm compress on the area where you are experiencing the tightness.
• Soak in a warm bath.
• Check your posture while you are working at your desk or computer, making sure that you are keeping keep your hips, shoulders, and ears in a straight line.
• Get up from your desk or couch and move around at least a few minutes every hour, all day long.
• When sleeping, be sure to use a pillow that was designed to keep your head and neck in proper alignment.
• A gentle massage may also be an effective way to get blood flowing into your sore neck muscles

Of course, the key to finding real and lasting relief will come when you get at the root causes of your stress, and employ strategies to get rid of these causes. These strategies may include learning relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding caffeine. Certainly if you smoke, try to quit that habit. Smoking slows healing in the body, and in particular, it decreases the blood supply to the muscles in your neck.

Many people who are dealing with stress find that talking out their problems helps. So, consider joining a support group of some kind.

Research shows that the longer neck pain lasts, the more difficult it is to get you back to feeling well again. In other words, the sooner you address the issue, the sooner you will get true and lasting relief.