Ever notice how your neck tightens during a stressful week? Or how your back “randomly” flares up when life feels overwhelming? That’s not a coincidence. Stress doesn’t just live in your head — it shows up in your body , often as pain, stiffness, or discomfort that seems to come out of nowhere. And for many active adults, parents, and high-performers, this connection is easy to miss. Let’s break down the hidden ways stress turns into physical pain  — and what you can actually