Neck-Massage-Techniques-to-Relieve-Pain-&-Stiffness
Neck pain can make living difficult and even reduce your ability to work or function properly
Resolving neck pain may require many treatments with the joint efforts of many health care providers.
This may include medical doctors, chiropractors and licensed massage therapists. Massage has a long history of improving neck pain and stiffness. Also many methods can be used at home to supplement professional massage therapy.
Even just the gentle touch of another can reduce the muscular tension by helping them to relax. Stress causes the muscles to contract and become aggravated and inflamed.
Other therapies that may help to relieve tension includes
Massage Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are small, painful, tight nodules of muscle fibres tangled in the muscles. They contribute to chronic muscular pain, which in turn leads to joint pain and stiffness. Trigger points keep muscles tense and weak at the same time because there is stress on each end of the muscle.
This spreads the pain out over a greater area. Trigger point massage provides tremendous relief.
Fingers or thumbs can be run over the painful muscles, searching for the most knotted spots. Often there is a tight little band of muscle cells about the size of a pea. When a trigger point is found, moderate pressure is applied and the point held while the client slowly breathes three or four times.
The pain and tightness slowly dissipates. Other trigger points clustered near the first one are also often found. Hold each trigger point for three breaths or until it starts to dissipate. After you have found and pressed on, and relieved all the trigger points, finish with some gentle stretching exercises.
Neck Stretches
Neck tension is a common complaint among adults of all ages. A stiff neck can result from exercise, overuse or simply sleeping in the wrong position. Most people carry stress in their neck and shoulder region, leaving them with tight neck muscles on a daily basis.
Exercises that stretch and relax the neck can provide immediate relief from pain and can be performed anywhere. When your neck pain is sudden, severe or the result of an injury, you may need to see a doctor.
A simple exercise is:
- shrugging – inhale and bring your shoulders up to your neck as high as possible.
- Hold for 10 counts.
- Exhale as you relax your shoulders back down and repeat 10 times.
Flexion Exercises
- Inhale then exhale as you slowly lower your chin down to your chest until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of your neck.
- Take a few deep breaths before raising your head as you breathe in;
- repeat 10 times.
Active release technique is a method of tissue release that involves moving the muscle from a shortened position to a lengthened position while a practitioner applies pressure. Developed by Dr. Michael Leahy, ART helps restore range of motion, relieve pain and break down scar tissue.
Frequency of treatment varies depending on the type and severity of your condition, but most patients experience recovery within four to six sessions.
Experiencing a Professional Massage
We are licensed massage therapists that are versed in a variety of massage techniques. Swedish massage and Therapeutic massage is the most common type of massage. Swedish massage is a light and relaxing massage that can help reduce neck pain and stiffness.
Deep tissue massage is another option that is appropriate for pain and injury. It involves more pressure and addresses deeper tissue with some outstanding results.
