Not sure if the stress can physically cause the nerves to be compressed and irritated. But I know for sure that letting go of that stress and relaxing the muscles is always a good thing.

When I'm having a bad time, I put on the headphones for about a half hour with "sounds of nature" playing (rain, ocean waves, waterfalls, birds, etc.). I go into a kind of meditation, picturing the muscles relaxing and the nerves healing themselves. I doubt that any nerve healing is actually taking place, but when I'm done I do feel quite relaxed - almost like after a good massage.