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The Connection Between Stress and Physical Pain

  • July 2, 2026

Episode Notes:

In this episode of the Crystal Grove Chiropractic podcast, Dr. Jacob Henricksen explores the powerful and often overlooked connection between stress and physical pain. Most people think of stress as a purely mental or emotional experience, but the reality is that it manifests in the body in very real, measurable ways.

Dr. Henricksen breaks down exactly what stress does to your muscles, joints, and nervous system — and why ignoring it can lead to chronic pain and discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with tension headaches, a stiff neck, or persistent back pain, this episode may shed light on a root cause you haven’t considered.

Tune in to learn how understanding the stress-pain relationship can be a game-changer for your overall health and wellness journey.

Hey there, and welcome back. I’m doctor Henricksen, and you’re listening to the Crystal Grove Chiropractic podcast, coming to you from right here in Lutz, Florida. Today we’re talking about something that I think is going to hit pretty close to home for a lot of you. We’re talking about stress — and specifically, what it’s actually doing to your body. Because here’s the thing… most people think of stress as just a mental or emotional problem. But the truth is, stress shows up in your body in a very real, very physical way. And if you’ve been dealing with nagging pain that just won’t quit, stress might be a bigger piece of that puzzle than you realize.

So let’s break this down. When you’re stressed — whether it’s work, family, finances, whatever it is — your nervous system kicks into what we call a fight-or-flight response. Your brain sends signals that essentially put your body on high alert. And one of the first things that happens is your muscles tense up. It’s a survival mechanism. Your body is bracing itself, getting ready to protect you. Now, that’s fine in short bursts. But when you’re stressed day after day, week after week… those muscles stay tight. They don’t get a chance to fully relax. And that’s when you start to feel it — that tension in your neck and shoulders, that ache between your shoulder blades, that low back tightness that just won’t let up.

Here’s what’s interesting — it’s not just the muscles. Chronic stress also affects your posture. When we’re stressed, we tend to hunch forward, drop our head, round our shoulders. We collapse inward. And over time, that posture puts real strain on your spine. Your vertebrae shift, the joints in your spine get loaded unevenly, and the whole system starts to work against itself. I see this in my office all the time. Someone comes in with neck pain or headaches, and when I ask them what’s been going on in their life… nine times out of ten, there’s a big stressor right there underneath the surface.

Now, you know what I hear a lot? People say, well, I’ll just wait until things calm down and see if the pain goes away. And I totally understand that. But here’s the problem — when stress becomes chronic and your spine gets locked up, it doesn’t just work itself out on its own. The pattern gets reinforced. Your body adapts to dysfunction. And the longer it sits, the harder it is to unwind.

So what can you do starting today? A few simple things. First, breathe. I know that sounds almost too simple, but deep, slow breathing actually signals your nervous system to calm down. Just a few minutes of intentional breathing can start to lower that tension response. Second, move. Even a short walk helps break the cycle of muscle tightening. And third, pay attention to your posture throughout the day — especially if you’re sitting at a desk or looking at a screen. Try to pull those shoulders back and lift your chin up. Little adjustments add up over time.

And when it comes to seeing a chiropractor — if you’ve been dealing with pain that keeps coming back, or you just feel like your body is holding tension that won’t release, that’s a really good reason to come in and get evaluated. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper movement in the spine, which takes pressure off the joints and helps your nervous system function better. When your spine is moving the way it should, your whole body handles stress more efficiently. It’s not magic — it’s just good mechanics.

If you’re here in the Lutz area and you’ve been curious about whether chiropractic care might help you, I’d love to have a conversation. You can reach us at Crystal Grove Chiropractic — we’re always welcoming new patients and we’d be happy to take a look at what’s going on and put together a plan that actually makes sense for your life.

Thanks so much for spending a few minutes with me today. I hope this gave you a little bit of clarity and maybe some encouragement that there is something you can do about stress-related pain. You don’t have to just push through it. Take care of yourselves, and I’ll talk to you next time.