Ease neck pain in four simple steps
While a niggling pain or knot in any muscle in the body is a bother, it's especially frustrating when it’s in the neck because things we take for granted – such as turning your head or looking up – become an arduous task. Getting a massage or sitting in the sauna can both be great pain reducers and help you on the road to recovery, chances are that from time to time it’s not that simple to book in for a massage or get to a sauna.
There’s good news, however, there are some things you can do yourself to help knead away neck pain. Here are four simple steps to help you say goodbye to neck pain!
Step 1: Locate the painful spot. For a spot on your right side, use your right hand and vice versa for your left. Of course, if the area is very sore, or it’s swollen or hot to touch, it’s a good idea to get it looked at by your healthcare practitioner.
Step 2: Begin by pushing into the knot with your fingers, using firm pressure. While it’s likely there will be some discomfort when you begin, it should be tolerable.
Step 3: Gently turn your head in the opposite direction of the pain. Next, bend it diagonally – almost as if you were trying to touch your armpit with your chin. Working the muscle while apply a little pressure can help to relax the kink.
Step 4: You’ll want to repeat all steps from anywhere from three to 20 times. Afterward, give your neck and upper back a nice, long, stretch. For best results, repeat this throughout the day to keep your muscle relaxed and try these exercises to beat back pain.
As with any exercise, it’s important to listen to the signals your body gives you, and not push the stretch further than is comfortable. If the pain doesn’t respond to gentle stretching, or it’s been there for some time, it’s naturally a good idea to get it checked out by a healthcare practitioner.