Is Stress the Reason You’re in Pain?

Not every ache starts with a rolled ankle or a gym mishap. Sometimes, pain has less to do with what’s happening physically and more to do with what’s happening mentally.

Stress, anxiety, and emotional tension can show up in the body as tightness, discomfort, and even chronic pain. It’s a pattern physiotherapists are seeing more and more, especially in people juggling busy jobs, families, or high-pressure lifestyles.

How Stress Affects Your Body

When you're stressed, your body goes into "fight or flight" mode. Muscles tense, your breathing changes, and your nervous system becomes more sensitive. Over time, this can lead to:

• Ongoing muscle tension (especially in the shoulders, jaw, back, or hips)

• Headaches and migraines

• Shallow breathing and chest tightness

• A lower pain threshold — meaning you feel discomfort more easily

• Slower recovery from injury

The Pain-Stress Loop

Pain increases stress. Stress increases pain.
It’s a loop and the longer it goes on, the harder it can be to break without the right help.

How Physio Can Help

Physios don’t just treat bones and muscles — they also look at how you move, breathe, and carry stress in your body. Treatment might include:

• Hands-on therapy to reduce tension

• Breathing and relaxation strategies

• Gentle movement to calm the nervous system

• Education to help you understand what your pain means and ~doesn’t mean

If you're carrying pain that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause, stress might be the missing piece of the puzzle. The good news? You don’t have to “just deal with it.” With the right support, you can get back to feeling and moving better.