Understanding Nicole’s Neck Pain 

One of the most common things we hear from our patients is that their pain started for “no apparent reason.” Like Nicole, people will wake up with a crick in their neck or notice a stiffness turning when driving in the car. It is also common for people to notice tightness in their upper back and neck after a long day.

So, what is actually the source of the pain? In most cases, there is an issue with the neck joints or the neck muscles due to prolonged positions. Our neck joints don’t like remaining in any position for extended periods. In Nicole’s case, she first noticed her pain in the morning, which may have been related to her neck position while sleeping. It is also important to note that in Nicole’s case, the first sign of any issue was in the morning when she woke up, unrelated to stress. 

As Nicole’s day progressed, her pain got worse. But this also was more likely related to how she held her neck while driving or sitting at her computer. In both cases, her posture, specifically how she held her neck, seems to have contributed to her pain. Prolonged sitting can lead to a forward head position, resulting in tension to soft tissue (i.e., muscles, tendons, and ligaments) or negative changes to our blood flow. 

The muscles of our neck function best when we move them. So, holding her head in one position likely led to irritation of the muscles and affected her ability to move her neck, which in turn caused stress.  

Stress “contributes” to neck pain because, when we experience stress, our bodies naturally respond by tensing up as a protective measure. This tension can lead to discomfort, particularly in the neck and upper back region. Research studies have found that individuals with higher stress levels reported increased neck pain as compared to those with lower stress levels. This is why we say “contributes” to, but not the cause of, neck pain.

Help us give a big, warm welcome to the newest additions to our Humphrey and Norfolk teams!

Hi, I’m Rachel Troutman.

I was born in York NE, and raised in Columbus NE. I attended Nebraska Wesleyan Unversity where I got my bachelors in Athletic Training. About a year ago I moved to Albion NE with my fiance. I enjoy spending most of my time with my two dogs Titan and Mojo and my family. During the summer I can be found working in my garden. I also attend different race tracks helping my fiance and brother with their race cars. I also enjoy watching most sports but especially Nebraska football & volleyball, and Kansas City Chiefs. I’m excited to build new relationships and continue to help athletes and patients while working at HPT.

Hello! My name is Cora Kohl. I’m a proud wife and mother to three wonderful little girls. My family and I have called Norfolk home for the past nine years, and we love spending time together—especially outdoors. Summer and fall are my favorite seasons, and you’ll often find us enjoying activities outside whenever we can.

I’m a big fan of Mexican food, iced tea, and cheering on Husker volleyball and football.

I truly look forward to meeting each friendly face who walks through our doors and to being part of your journey toward relief and recovery. It’s such a privilege to see the dedication our patients bring and to share in the supportive, personal environment we have here at Northeast Nebraska Physical Therapy.