Massage Therapy For Neck Pain
Describing any situation as "a pain in the neck" is a sure way
of letting people know how bad things are. For many people, that
phrase can be taken literally. In fact, the U.S. National Institute
of Health Statistics reports that 15% of Americans are troubled by
neck pain.
Usually the pain is caused by something simple, like hunching
your shoulders over a keyboard or work surface. Posture can be
another factor. Other causes include arthritis, whiplash, a pinched
nerve, muscle strain or degenerative disease. Whether it's chronic
or lasts only a short time, neck pain can be relieved by
massage.
How Massage Helps
Regular massage therapy helps keep your entire body free of
pain, and that's the goal of Massage Envy's professional
therapists. When you're suffering from neck pain in particular, the
massage will focus first on your shoulders and upper back.
"Massage of the neck itself may exacerbate symptoms at first,
but gentle massage of the arms, chest, legs and back proves to
reduce pain in the neck," says Elaine Calenda of the Boulder
College of Massage Therapy. "Myofascial release and thorough
massage of all the neck, face, jaw, head and throat muscles,
promote full healing and restoration of function."
Additional Benefits
Along with relieving neck pain, receiving massage on a regular
basis helps keep all your joints limber, which reduces your chances
of pulling a muscle. It also improves your posture and flexibility,
increases range of motion, lowers blood pressure and heart rate,
encourages relaxation and relieves stress.