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Many people get pain or tension in their shoulders, neck or back occasionally, and a decent massage or chiropractic adjustment tends to fix basic aches and pains caused by everyday living.
But what about when you start getting neck, shoulder, back or (insert other body part) pain every day? That’s when you generally go to a doctor to find out what’s going on.
If you don’t know the cause of pain or tension, a doctor can help you narrow down whether the pain and tension is an issue related to a muscle, bone or nerve. A doctor can even help you figure out if maybe you sustained an injury related to personal training or work.
However, your doctor might not think to ask about the state of your mental health, and that could actually play a major role in some people’s muscle tension problems.
In fact, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists muscle tension as a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder, which most people commonly refer to as “anxiety.”
Dr. Selene Parekh, an orthopedic surgeon and associate professor at Duke University, said in an email that although muscle tension is not one of the most common symptoms of anxiety, it can be present.
“With extreme anxiety, the body can release epinephrine which can lead to rapid breathing, elevated heart rates, and increased muscle tension,” he said.
He said the severity of muscle tension will depend on the individual. For some people it is barely noticeable, but for others it can affect quality of life.
“In others it can be intense enough to cause neck or back pain, tension headaches, and referred pain,” Parekh said. “The threshold for muscle tension varies from person to person.”
He said that the best way to determine the cause of muscle tension and pain is through a physical exam, X-rays potentially, a CT scan and MRI.
“The best thing to do is find ways to manage the anxiety and stress,” Parekh said. “This can be done with biofeedback, yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, and sometimes medications.”
Dr. Murray Grossan, author of “Stressed? Anxiety? Your Cure is in the Mirror,” said in an email that in his professional opinion muscle tension is actually a “major symptom of anxiety.”
“Muscle tension can cause the spine to deform,” Grossan added. “It is the most common cause of headache. But, it can also be due to bad posture and bad walking shoes too, not just emotional.”
He said that people with anxiety tend to have a tight body (including back and neck), and they generally don’t sleep well.
“If someone is pounding with a large hammer all day and complains of shoulder [pain], you don't necessarily look for anxiety,” Grossan said. “But when you are in a bad boss situation and you don't have a coping mechanism, your [muscles] tighten and you have muscle tension.”
Muscle tension can be measured by a test called an electromyography (EMG). This test can also be used as part of a biofeedback treatment plan.
There is a cheaper alternative as well.
“Use a mirror as a biofeedback device to feed back to you if your face, jaw, shoulders, etc., are tight,” Grossan said. “Simple breathing exercises and other visualization speeds that healing.”
A mirror can also be used to help correct bad posture, which could be a culprit for causing muscle tension and pain.
Brandon Mentore, a health coach, and a strength and conditioning specialist, said in an email that he believes the number one symptom of anxiety and stress is muscle tension.
“For people who have serious anxiety, it can get as severe as an injury brought on by tightness in the body,” he said. “In the moment, anxiety can cause an acute reaction in areas like the neck, shoulders or back, that can result in a pinched nerve or the back being ‘thrown’ out.”
He added that stretching and massage therapy are some ways to manage stress and relieve muscle tension.
Sources:
Parekh, Selene. Email interview. Jan. 8, 2014.
http://footdronline.com/about-dr-parekh.html
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx
Grossan, Murray. Email interview. Jan. 8, 2014.
http://www.grossaninstitute.com
Mentore, Brandon. Email interview. Jan. 8, 2014.
Reviewed January 9, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
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