Neck Care Neck Pain:  The neck has a great deal of functionality but is also subject to a lot of stress. The result is neck pain which usually is not caused by anything serious. A few simple remedies can have you on your way in no time. Persistent neck pains can also be linked to other common lifestyle habits. Sleeping with too many pillows or falling asleep using the couch arm as a pillow can give you that nagging neck pain. If you travel often, place a small pillow or a rolled up towel between your neck and relax the muscles. Neck pain is one of the most common aches people experience in their lifetime. Fortunately, the pain is usually not an indication of anything serious and can be quickly alleviated with some easy steps:
Hit The Shower:  The shower is the easiest and most effective remedy to try first thing in the morning. Let the shower beat on the kink, as hot as you can stand it. Single-use adhesive heat pads, available at most pharmacies, can also ease neck pain. You can also get relief by applying heat to the neck using a hot water bottle, wrapped in a towel.
Massage Yourself: Use the fingertips of your index and middle fingers to find the most painful area on your neck and slowly increase the pressure as you breathe deeply for approximately 20 seconds. The sustained pressure makes the muscles relax. You can also massage the area in a circular motion, gradually increasing the pressure as the muscle loosens up. Stop if the pain intensifies or you feel a muscle spasm.
Neck Massage: Your partner or a therapist may perform the following massages to your neck:
Kneading the neck: This gentle petrissage movement releases tension and helps disperse the fatty deposits that can build up in this sensitive area.
- Your partner should rest facing down with forehead on hands, so that you can work your fingers into the base of the neck. Smooth the hair away from the neck.
- Resting one hand gently on the back of the head, use the other hand to pull up and knead the muscles in the base of the neck (the occipitals), rolling the muscle between the thumb and the other fingers.
 Neck and Shoulder Treatment To Ease Stress: Day-to-day stresses and anxieties often manifest themselves as tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, and treating this area can bring immediate benefits. One of the best times to work on your neck and shoulders is just before going to bed, especially if stress or insomnia are a problem. Prepare your choice of essential oils with a carrier lotion or oil. Wear loose clothing or a towel and remove all jewellery for comfort. Apply a little of the oil mix to both shoulders and begin the massage.
1. Resting the whole of your relaxed hand gently over the point of your opposite shoulder, move your hand firmly along the top of the shoulder until you reach the neck, then return to the shoulder point. Repeat this circle several times.
2. Keeping your hand in this position (palm on collarbone and fingers on shoulder muscle), feel with your fingers for any hard tension spots along the muscle and apply firm circular pressure to these with the pads of your three middle fingers. Be careful not to exceed an acceptable pain threshold.
3. Take your fingers up your neck, repeating the circular movements with your three fingers where there are painful nodules. Repeat steps 2 and 3 if the area is still painful, and finish with several firm circles, as in step 1. Repeat the massage on the opposite shoulder, using your other hand. ********************************************* Neck Care - Improving Posture; Relieving tension |
