Solutions for Neck Pain Through Massage
Waking up to find a crick in your neck is a rotten start to the day. Although most neck pain disappears within 24 hours there are specific back, shoulder and neck massage techniques that can help speed up your recovery.
So instead of walking around like Frankenstein all day, relieve the tension in your neck muscles by getting a professional therapist to perform a massage for neck pain before you 'head out'!
Headache at the Back of Head
Experiencing a headache at the back of your head can often be traced back to tension and muscle knots in the neck.
The discomfort often extends to pain in your neck and shoulder too, making movements of the head and shoulders restricted or painful.
➪ Try one of the following treatment styles the next time you wake up with a stiff neck or a headache at the back of your head.
Neck Massage
When it comes to relaxing neck and shoulder muscles, one of the very best treatments is our Jet Lag Indian Head massage.
This treatment focuses completely on the head, neck and shoulders. Most sessions last between 15 and 30 minutes, but if preferred can be extended to a full hour. If you are suffering from neck pain, then it is best to ask your therapist to spend more time on your upper back, neck and shoulders and a little less time on the face area.
Another effective method to address neck pain is through a lymphatic drainage massage. This technique not only targets the muscle knot in the neck but also promotes better circulation and the elimination of toxins, bringing relief to those nagging pains.
➪ Indian head massage is usually included as part of a therapeutic full body massage. If you're suffering from neck pain more than anything else, consider combining it with a lymphatic drainage massage for a treatment that specifically targets your upper body tension.
Book your massage for neck pain by entering your postcode in London below:
Trigger Point Massage Therapy
Other popular treatments for neck pain include trigger point and acupressure based massages such as Japanese Shiatsu and Reflexology. Yes that's right, some therapists will press parts of your feet to help relieve pain in your neck!
Trigger point massage techniques use a slightly different method from the conventional strokes of oil based massages. Instead of using long flowing effleurage, therapists focus on applying a medium level of sustained pressure to very specific points on the neck, using the tips of their fingers.
➪ These pressure points are believed to be connected to physical and mental energy channels which become blocked over time through unhealthy living.
Neck & Shoulder trigger points
The diagram below shows the 5 main pressure points and zones on the neck and shoulders:
A – the Feng Fu pressure point. Located at the centre of the back of the neck, just below the base of the skull.
B – the Gates of Consciousness points. Either side of point A, in the hollows of the vertical muscles.
C – the Window of Heaven (or Tian You) points. Located towards the edges, just below the ear lobes.
D – the Heavenly Pillar (or Tian Zhu) points. Located about 2cm below the Gates of Consciousness pressure points.
E – the Shoulder Well (or Jiang Jing) points. Located below the neck at the top of the shoulder blade muscles.
Points A, B and C are commonly used in acupressure to soothe neck tension as well as relieve related headaches. Pressure is applied to points D and E to relieve stiffness and also cure the general fatigue caused by a crick in the neck.
I've got Stiff Neck Pain - Why Massage my Back?
Sometimes when we feel sore in one part of the body, the underlying cause may be a condition elsewhere.
So a pain in the neck may actually be caused by an issue further down your torso. For example, you may have a weakness in your lower back, which is causing you to over-compensate and exert extra strain on other muscles, such as those in your neck. In this case, a neck massage would still relieve tension but it would not get to the root of the problem.
➪ We therefore recommend that even if you are suffering from only neck pain, a therapeutic full body massage may still be the best treatment for you. You can select your head, neck, shoulders and back as the main focus areas for your treatment by using the Focus Man during the booking process.
Softer may be Better
Most people agree a head massage feels great - but have you ever wondered why?
This is simply because your head and neck contains many of the most sensitive nerves in your body.
➪ Don't believe us? Stroke your finger lightly down the side of your neck and then do the same movement on your arm or leg. You should quickly notice how much more sensitive the side of the neck is than other parts of your body. This however is also one of the reasons it is so easy to injure or stress. Even a small amount of excess tension can cause stress and discomfort. Conversely, a soothing touch applied to the neck and shoulders feels especially wonderful due to all those nerves.
What is a Crick In The Neck?
A loosely defined, non-medical term, the phrase crick in the neck is often used to describe muscle knots in the neck. Once developed, you may suffer pain and stiffness around your upper back, neck and shoulder area.
Knots can occur suddenly and unexpectedly, but are usually simply down to muscle fatigue. If you get a muscle knot in your neck or upper back, you may find it painful to turn your head left or right. Your neck may also seem like it is slightly out of joint and needs to be clicked back into place. Overall the muscles around this part of your body will feel tighter and less mobile than usual.
In most cases, and especially if you have not been suffering from any other illnesses, waking up to unexpected neck pain is not serious. A neck muscle knot is usually caused by an extended period of poor posture or over-exertion, such as sleeping or sitting at a desk for several hours in a bad position.
Tense neck and shoulder muscles are usually a short-term condition and fix themselves in a day or so. However, massage therapy can be a great way to relax tight spots and relieve pain from muscle knots quickly. In a minority of cases, the sudden onset of severe neck pain may be associated with a more serious underlying condition - in such cases you should seek advice from your doctor.
Self-Massage Techniques
Self-massage techniques are increasingly recognised as effective remedies for those suffering from chronic stiff necks and associated shoulder pain. By understanding how to properly apply pressure to the pain points in the neck and back, you can actively combat discomfort. Proper technique involves using firm pressure on tense muscles, which not only helps alleviate pain but also works to increase blood flow to the affected areas. This boost in circulation supports the health of the muscles and often provides immediate relief.
Regularly employing these techniques can be a great aid for those looking to take an active role in managing their neck pain.
➪ Get your partner to give you a hand if you find it painful to reach behind your head.
Safety Precautions
Performed correctly a neck and shoulder massage is completely safe. However, being a relatively delicate part of the body it is important for any such treatment to be done using the appropriate techniques and pressure.
As a general rule, the treatment should not be painful or too uncomfortable at any time. To avoid the danger of suffocation, the front of the neck should only be stroked lightly and deep pressure should never be applied.
Dealing with chronic neck pain can be a daunting syndrome, impacting not just the back and sides of the neck but also overall health.
While there are various devices on the market that claim to offer relief, nothing truly compares to the rehabilitation achieved through professional therapy. A therapist doesn't just apply their fingertips and fingers; they understand the deep-seated tension in the muscles beneath the skin and address the root of the problems. Techniques, whether using their hands, a ball, or other tools, can be immensely helpful.
➪ To ensure lasting relief and a holistic approach to your wellness, it's always best to entrust your neck's health to trained professionals, be it a masseuse, chiropractor, or osteopath.
