How neck pain could be bad for your blood pressure?

The blood pressure is one of the major brain functions controlled by the brain along with many other functions, and neck musculature helps in controlling the blood pressure by sending neural signals to the brain. The blood pressure changes as we change positions from lying to sitting or standing position and vice versa.

In neck pain patients, there is a high likelihood of high blood pressure as the neck muscles send signals to brain for normal blood pressure functioning. Any alteration in these neural signals due to neck pain or neck stiffness, can eventually lead to a high blood pressure. A new research shows that neck muscles functioning via the neural connection between the neck and brain, could be playing a major role in blood pressure changes and altered neural signaling from the neck which can lead to blood pressure alteration.

Alleviating neck pain using various therapies can potentially result in reduced blood pressure, and hence quality of life would improve as the regular exercises can also be performed without any neck pain symptoms. The slight increase in the blood pressure can reduce the life expectancy, therefore any measure to reduce it should be taken.

As blood pressure is a serious issue, hence it should be monitored regularly (hourly, daily and weekly basis), and a realistic goal should be set by your doctor. A blood pressure monitor should be purchased for home use. Along with exercises, to reduce the neck pain and stiffness, dietary and lifestyle changes should also be considered. Overall health and fitness should be improved or else these issues can recur. The medications for blood pressure should be taken under direct doctor’s supervision.

Precautions and Management 

• Don’t change positions suddenly, i.e., A sudden changes in neck position might lead changes in blood pressure, especially if you are suffering from neck pain and stiffness.
• Breathe while performing exercises; also, perform your exercises in the right form under the guidance of your physiotherapist. Postural or orthostatic hypotension is another blood pressure related issue where there is a sudden fall in blood pressure due to changes in posture e.g., Standing up from a lying position. Neck pain and stiffness might be the reason that neural signals required for blood pressure control are unable to reach the brain and consequently there is a failure in maintaining a steady blood pressure. Mostly, this problem happens while moving the neck.
• Perform neck exercises regularly so that neck muscles are stronger and neck region is less sensitive. The decrease in neck pain will help in bringing down the blood pressure as well.
• Take medications for your blood pressure issue, if needed, under the supervision of a doctor/physician.
• Managing old injuries, i.e., Whiplash injuries of the neck are also associated with the alterations in blood pressure. Hence, any treatment taken to treat the whiplash injuries is helpful in managing the blood pressure issues as well.
• Change your lifestyle so that overall health is good. Also, maintain a good mental health as stress due to any psychological problems like anxiety and depression could release stress hormones in the body (adrenaline and cortisol) and thereby, the blood pressure and heart rate can be impacted.

Written by:
Parminder Kaur,
Physical Therapist,
AktivHealth