Tension Headaches, Neck & Shoulder Pain?

Sioux Center Chiropractic | Trusted in Sioux Center, Hull, Le Mars, Orange City, Rock Valley, and all of NW Iowa

Stiff Neck? Burning Shoulders? Headaches That Wrap Around Your Eyes?

You’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone.

Every December, we see a surge in patients complaining of:

Tension headaches that build throughout the day
Neck and shoulder tightness, especially after driving or wrapping gifts
Upper back pain and stiffness between the shoulder blades
A deep sense of mental fatigue and physical heaviness

Sound familiar? That’s because holiday stress and posture breakdown are a painful one-two punch.

At Sioux Center Chiropractic, we call this the Tension Triangle: where stress, screen time, and cold weather meet, and your body pays the price.

Why It Happens: The 3-Part Tension Triangle

1. Stress → Shallow Breathing → Muscle Tension

When you're overwhelmed, your breathing shifts from the diaphragm (deep belly breaths) to the chest. This activates muscles like the upper traps, scalenes, and levator scapula, making your neck and shoulders ache and setting the stage for tension headaches.

2. Posture Collapse → Nerve Compression

Long hours driving, shopping, decorating, or staring at screens? That’s forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and thoracic rigidity. It compresses nerves in your neck and upper back—leading to pain, numbness, and fatigue.

3. Cold Weather = Less Movement, More Inflammation

You move less. Your joints stiffen. Circulation slows. And your tissues become more prone to micro-strain and inflammation—especially in the neck, upper back, and between the shoulder blades.

What You Might Be Googling

If you’ve typed any of these recently, you’re in the right place:

“Why does my neck and shoulder hurt all day?”
“Best treatment for tension headaches in Sioux Center”
“Stiff upper back and shoulder blade pain”
“Chiropractor for tech neck or posture problems”
“How to fix tension headaches without meds”

How We Help Relieve Headaches, Neck Pain & Shoulder Tension

At Sioux Center Chiropractic, we treat these complaints every single day—especially during high-stress seasons like the holidays. Our care plans combine gentle chiropractic, soft tissue work, rehab, and advanced therapy tools for fast, long-lasting relief.

1. Chiropractic Adjustments

We realign the neck, mid-back, and shoulders to relieve pressure on joints and nerves. This often results in:

Less pain and stiffness
Improved posture and mobility
Decreased headache frequency and intensity

2. Soft Tissue Therapy & Myofascial Release

Tight trap muscles, levator scapulae, and suboccipitals are common culprits behind stress-related pain. Our team uses hands-on techniques to:

Release tension
Improve blood flow
Calm your nervous system

3. Targeted Rehab for Postural Strength

Our rehab team will guide you through customized exercises to:

Restore scapular stability
Rebuild deep neck flexor control
Improve core engagement and breathing mechanics
Prevent future flare-ups—even during busy seasons

4. Laser & Shockwave Therapy (When Needed)

If inflammation or stubborn knots are part of your pain pattern, we offer:

Class IV laser therapy to reduce inflammation and accelerate healing
Radial and focused shockwave therapy to break up tight fascia and trigger points in the neck, traps, and mid-back