Muscle Tension and Anxiety: Understanding the Physical Symptoms

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by constant and excessive worry and fear. Anxiety is usually treated with a combination of medication and therapy. Anxiety can impair an individual both psychologically and physically. Anxiety often affects the muscles in the body as indicated below.

Back Muscles

• Individuals with an anxiety disorder may experience muscle tension in their back. Back muscles may also feel sore or spasm periodically.

Chest Muscles

• Anxiety sufferers may feel tightness or pain in their chest muscles. Sometimes anxiety sufferers may mistake this pain for a heart attack.

Heart Muscles

• Anxiety may cause the heart to palpitate or race. Again, sometimes individuals with anxiety may believe they are having a heart attack when these heart-related symptoms occur.

Neck and Shoulder Muscles

• Individuals with anxiety may have neck and shoulder pain. Also, the neck and shoulder muscles may be very stiff.

Other Muscles

• Muscles anywhere in the body may twitch, tremor or vibrate. Also, constant muscle tension or stiffness may be felt. Muscles may seem weak.