Physical Stress happens when we use muscles beyond their capacity. Over used muscles become sore, even very painful. They may be inflamed, and in extreme situations can tear.

Even fit people can suffer if they over use a muscle that they don't normally use so much. This may happen when you break your routine in any way; from sitting at your desk all weekend when you have not done that for years, or using vibrating garden machinery a lot more than normal; perhaps because there has been exceptional weather resulting in exceptional plant growth that needs mowing or pruning.

What to do?

• Stretch -Stretching sore muscles can provide relief, and even help speed up repair of a problem; provided it is done properly. Visiting a physiotherapist or attending a Pilates class may give you some guidance. Improper stretching can exaggerate problems though.
• Exercise More - for a person who works two jobs and only sleeps a few hours a night - the simplest way to relax might be to spend fewer hours working and more hours in bed.
• Exercise Less -for a “fitness junkie” who exercises excessively, stress may be a result of pushing the body to do things it should not be doing. Feeling stressed can be a natural response from a physical body, trying to tell the mind to slow down. The easiest way to relax may be to listen to the mind and spend more time sitting still.
• Eat Better - Diet can often be a factor. Over-eating, under-eating, improper gut bacteria, food sensitivities and other diet related issues can be a partial or full cause of stress in a body; and if diagnosed and treated appropriately, the solution can sometimes be as simple as changing one’s diet.
• Physical support - Braces (e.g neck brace) or strapping, may be used by therapists to hold muscles in the proper position. When a muscle is over worked, other muscles can try to compensate for the stress or pain caused, and the compensation can throw a body out of muscular balance
• Heat or Cold - Some physical problems respond to heat, but others can be aggravated by heat and are better treated with cold. It is important to know which to use and when.
• Use Drugs Sensibly - Taking pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or other pharmaceuticals may have a place in responding to biogenic stressors; but these are strategies that come with risks ranging from developing addictions to masking the warning signs of other and potentially more serious issues.
• Don't delay getting professional advice - for muscular stress, a physiotherapist, chiropractor, sports therapist or osteopath may be more appropriate than a general practitioner as a first point of call.