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.
WHAT IS NECK TENSION?
Neck tension develops when the muscles around your cervical spine remain contracted for longer than they should, even when you’re at rest. In healthy muscle function, the brain sends electrical signals to muscles to contract and then to relax. When muscles remain in a partly contracted state, this persistent activation over time can create a feeling of tightness and discomfort without necessarily involving serious injury.[1]
Scientific observations show that neck tension often arises from sustained postures and repetitive strain.[2] When you spend a lot of time looking down at your phone or leaning toward your computer, your neck muscles work harder to support the weight of your head. Over time, that means your muscles get stressed and overworked.[3]
Everyday muscle tension can reveal a long term imbalance in how your muscles fire and relax. Even if your neck motion doesn’t feel limited, you may notice stiffness or tightness, especially after long periods of sitting or standing around.
Because neck tension is tied to how muscles are activated throughout the day, neck muscle tension relief starts by incorporating routines and services that encourage your muscles to fully relax again.
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."
NECK TENSION RELIEF
Effective neck tension relief starts with understanding how and where your neck holds stress. When you make a massage appointment at a Massage Envy franchised location, your massage therapist will talk with you about your massage goals and preferences, including which muscle groups feel especially tight or fatigued.
When you need a neck tension massage, consider adding Rapid Tension Relief. It uses controlled percussion to deliver precise stimulation to muscles that are working overtime. You can add it to your massage service as an enhancement or choose to experience it as a dedicated 30-minute session on its own. Either way, the pressure and vibration of the Theragun® massager used in Rapid Tension Relief have been shown to reduce muscle tension by delivering deep, targeted stimulation to affected areas.[4]
Prolonged poor posture can take a toll on your neck muscles over time. That’s why neck muscle tension relief often works best when techniques are chosen to address the muscles most affected, helping release built-up tension and support relaxation where it’s needed most.
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.
