Have you ever felt a tight neck after a stressful day? Or noticed lower back pain creeping in when you’re anxious or overwhelmed?
You’re not imagining things. At Broadacres Physio, situated in Broadacres, Fourways, Johannesburg, we regularly treat patients who experience real, debilitating physical pain caused or worsened by mental and emotional stress.
Pain is not just physical — it’s a complex experience shaped by your thoughts, emotions, and life circumstances. Understanding this mind-body connection is key to achieving long-term recovery and well-being.
In this post, we’ll explore how stress impacts your body, why it causes pain, and how our holistic physiotherapy approach at Broadacres Physio helps you heal both physically and emotionally.
Visit www.baphysio.co.za to book your consultation with one of our experienced, compassionate physiotherapists.
The Science Behind Stress-Related Pain
When you’re under emotional or mental stress, your body reacts by entering a state of “fight or flight.” This ancient survival mechanism triggers a surge of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which prepare your body to defend itself.
While this response is useful in short bursts, chronic stress can lead to:
- Muscle tension (especially in the neck, shoulders, and back)
- Shallow breathing and poor oxygen flow
- Increased inflammation in muscles and joints
- Decreased immunity and slower healing
- Sensitised nerves and heightened pain perception
This explains why people under high stress often suffer from:
- Tension headaches
- Jaw pain (TMJ dysfunction)
- Chronic neck and shoulder tightness
- Lower back pain
- Digestive issues or fatigue
- Postural changes due to muscle guarding
At Broadacres Physio, we’ve seen firsthand how treating the body without acknowledging the mind leads to temporary relief — not long-term change.
How Stress Changes Your Posture and Movement
When you’re mentally stressed, your posture tends to reflect it:
- You hunch your shoulders
- You clench your jaw
- You breathe more shallowly
- You move less and exercise less
These subtle changes create muscle imbalances, poor mobility, and tension — especially in your neck, shoulders, back, and hips. Over time, they become patterns that the body holds onto, even when the stressor is gone.
This is why our clinical evaluations at Broadacres Physio go beyond just asking “where does it hurt?” — we want to understand why it hurts and what your body is holding onto emotionally or physically.
A Holistic Approach to Healing at Broadacres Physio
At Broadacres Physio in Fourways, we don’t just treat your pain — we treat you. Our hands-on healing approach is built around the belief that your body and mind are connected, and true recovery only happens when we address both.
Here’s how we treat stress-related pain:
✅ Thorough Clinical Evaluation
We assess not just your symptoms, but your posture, breathing patterns, lifestyle, work habits, and stress levels.
✅ Manual Therapy & Myofascial Release
Hands-on techniques such as massage, joint mobilisation, and trigger point therapy help release physical tension caused by emotional holding patterns.
✅ Dry Needling & Relaxation Techniques
These methods calm the nervous system and reduce sensitivity in the tissues.
✅ Breathing Retraining & Core Stability Work
We teach you how to breathe better, move better, and regain control over your body.
✅ Mindful Movement & Education
We empower you with awareness, helping you understand how stress shows up in your body and how to counteract it daily.
✅ Collaborative Care with Biokinetics & Mental Health Professionals
If needed, we refer you to trusted psychologists, life coaches, or biokineticists (including our on-site partner, Kelly Frames Biokinetics) for a truly holistic recovery plan.
Real-Life Examples: When the Body Speaks the Mind
Many patients who visit Broadacres Physio with pain find that once their emotional load is acknowledged, their body begins to respond faster.
- A business executive with chronic headaches realised her jaw tension came from clenching during Zoom calls.
- A student with neck and shoulder pain improved significantly once breathing techniques were introduced.
- A new mother’s back pain eased after integrating stress-reducing posture awareness and sleep support.
Our takeaway? Pain is often the body’s way of asking for help — and it’s speaking loudest when it feels emotionally overwhelmed.
When to See a Physiotherapist for Stress-Related Pain
If you:
- Have chronic neck, back, or jaw pain
- Feel tight, sore, or fatigued with no clear injury
- Notice that your symptoms worsen during emotional periods
- Can’t seem to find lasting relief from regular treatments
- Feel “tense all the time” and don’t know how to relax
…it’s time to visit Broadacres Physio in Fourways. Let’s uncover the real cause of your discomfort and create a treatment plan that works for your mind and body.
Book Your Consultation Today – And Start Feeling Like You Again
Pain isn’t always about an injury — sometimes it’s your body asking you to slow down, breathe, and be cared for.
At Broadacres Physio, we understand that treating the body in isolation doesn’t work. That’s why we offer a warm, supportive space where you’re listened to, valued, and treated like the whole person you are.
📍 Visit us at Broadacres Physio in Fourways
📞 Call us on 011 467 8300
📧 Email us at admin@baphysio.co.za
🌐 www.baphysio.co.za
Let’s get you moving, healing, and thriving — the way your body was designed to.
Broadacres Physio – Where Healing Starts With Understanding
At Broadacres Physio, we believe that healing starts by understanding you. By treating the underlying causes — not just the symptoms — we give you the tools, knowledge, and support to reclaim your health and stay pain-free for the long run.
Let’s keep you moving. Book your session today at www.baphysio.co.za.
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