Can Grief Cause Neck Pain?
The short answer to this question is YES. Grief can absolutely cause neck pain.
There are so many factors at play here and today we are going to dive in to some of the reasons why grief can cause neck pain and some simple steps you can take to find some relief.
Physiological Responses to Grief
Grief is a complex emotional response that can manifest in various physiological ways, impacting both mental well-being and physical health. Physiologically, grief triggers a cascade of hormonal and neurological responses in the body. When experiencing grief, the body often releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can lead to heightened muscle tension and arousal.
Moreover, grief affects the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion. Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system during grief can contribute to physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, and muscle pain, including neck pain.
Neck Pain in Grief
Neck pain is a common physical manifestation of grief-related stress. The muscles in the neck and shoulders are particularly vulnerable to tension and tightness during periods of emotional distress. This muscular tension can result from prolonged periods of holding the body rigidly or from repetitive physical responses to emotional pain, such as clenching the jaw or tensing the shoulders. Additionally, crying can directly cause an overuse of the facial and neck muscles leading to injury and pain. Over time, this chronic muscle overuse and tension can contribute to stiffness, discomfort, and severe pain in the neck.
Have you ever felt like you just can’t relax no matter what you try? This is likely because when we are in a state of emotional distress, our bodies think that we are preparing to fight against a threat. This fight or flight mode is an instinct that our bodies have deep within our nervous system. When this mode is activated, our bodies go into a state of hypervigilence where our muscles tense up to prepare for a fight that realistically isn’t coming.
Additionally, grief can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to poor posture, both of which can exacerbate neck pain. Sleep disturbances are common during grieving periods, and inadequate rest can further heighten muscle tension and discomfort in the neck and upper back. Poor posture, whether from emotional withdrawal or physical exhaustion, can also strain the muscles supporting the neck, leading to muscular imbalances and pain.
How to Treat Neck Pain Related to Grief
Dry Needling: One of the most important interventions we have to help regulate our nervous system as well as directly reduce neck pain and tension is dry needling. Dry needling is used by physical therapists to target areas of muscle tension, inflammation around the nerves, and common points that can help to induce relaxation and pain reduction. It has an immediate affect on the muscles, and can help to combat the sensitizing chemicals in the muscle tissue that keep causing pain and trigger points. If you are grieving and have neck pain, search for a highly trained physical therapist near you who can provide you with dry needling to assist you with grief related pain.
Stretching/Exercise: Stretching and exercise are two ways we can help to reduce tension in the neck and facial muscles, however in isolation they will likely not completely resolve pain. I like to recommend that my clients do quick bouts of neck stretches 2-3 times per day, especially of the upper traps, deep cervical flexors, jaw muscles and anterior neck muscles like the scalenes. General exercise can help to bring our nervous system into a state of downregulation and can help to eliminate additional cortisol levels in the body.
Sleep Hygiene: As we mentioned earlier, sleep disruptions are very common in grief and can further impact neck pain. In order to improve sleep quality and quantity, try laying down to sleep for at least 8 hours per night, limit blue light (screens) before bed and swap your pillow to make sure your neck is well supported. My favorite pillow on the market is from Twilla and it has been an absolute game changer for myself and for my clients. Use the code WILDFLOWER15 to save money on the fully customizable pillow.
Mental Health: This is an important step in the healing process with grief. Seeing a certified mental health professional can be a tough step but also can be so helpful in learning coping skills to process grief. Grief is a lifelong process that will never get easier, but you will get stronger to deal with it overtime. BetterHelp is an online therapy company that can be a convenient way to find a professional right away.
Conclusion
It's essential for individuals experiencing grief-related neck pain to seek support from healthcare professionals. By addressing both the emotional and physical aspects of grief, individuals can better manage their symptoms and foster healing.
If you are struggling with illness or injury and would like to get your body moving, schedule a physical therapy appointment with us today! At Wildflower Physical Therapy & Wellness, we can help you to get back to the life you want to live through pain management strategies, activity promotion and exercise. Our Cash Based Physical Therapy model allows us to deliver a highly individualized treatment plan without the fuss of insurance companies. Interested in trying dry needling to support your exercise routine and maximize recovery? Reach out to us today!