Massage treatment frequently includes manipulating soft tissues with the hands, such as the muscles and tendons, to stimulate blood flow, relax tension in the muscles, and foster feelings of increased wellness. It is typical for patients to seek the Best SPA in Mclean from a massage therapist, physical therapist, or another certified healthcare provider if they experience persistent neck discomfort and stiffness.
How Massage Therapy Is Applied for Chronic Neck Pain
There are many different styles of massage, each with its own set of techniques, hand pressures, and strokes. The massage is often given to the neck, shoulders, and back because these areas are all interconnected, even when the channel is symptomatic. Five methods to relieve neck discomfort are provided here by Juan Gonzalez, a massage therapist and head massage trainer for moon lake spa.
1. Swedish massage
According to Gonzalez, Swedish massage is a well-liked style involving long, slow, soft strokes and kneading actions. It is a highly soothing sort of massage that also aids in reducing tension and worry, which are frequently the initial reasons for neck discomfort. According to him, stress that causes you to reflexively constrict your neck and shoulders due to the fight-or-flight reaction can cause pain throughout the body, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. Gonzalez advises receiving massage in Bethesda in every two to three weeks if you frequently battle neck discomfort to aid with pain relief and circulation improvement.
He advises self-massaging your neck to ease stress and discomfort if you don’t have the time or money to see a professional. Put your fingers on the top neck and base of the head first, he advises, and push lightly too firmly. “After that, work your fingers up the upper back and down the neck. Next, apply the same gliding motion to your shoulder, beginning from the upper back and moving toward the collarbone.
2. Trigger point therapy
Trigger point treatment may be a method worth considering for pain relief if you frequently experience muscular knots. However, Gonzalez explains that a trigger point is a “hyperirritable location,” a “tight lump found mostly in the muscular belly, usually known as muscle knots,” and that treating trigger points with pressure can be unpleasant since it entails pressing on such delicate places. Therefore, the suggested frequency depends on how sensitive you are to discomfort.
Are you prepared to try it? Gonzalez advises you to determine your trigger before applying direct, hard pressure until you are 50% comfortable. Ten seconds of holding. Then, he continues, “increase pressure to around 75% and hold for an additional 10 seconds.” The trigger point relaxes as a result of the ongoing maintenance of pressure. To access difficult-to-reach regions, you can utilize a trigger point instrument, such as a tennis ball or a trigger point hook. Continue until you feel relieved.
3. Myofascial release
Gonzalez adds that the goal of myofascial release massage is to release tension by manually applying pressure, kneading, and movement to the myofascial tissue that surrounds our muscles and every muscle fiber. Myofascial releases can be performed in various methods, including by utilizing foam rollers or gently extending the skin, muscles, or joints. Gonzalez explains that lifting the skin that separates the fascia from the power and hinders the force from flowing freely is why cupping is also regarded as a type of myofascial release.
Gonzalez advises using your hands or a trigger point instrument to apply pressure on the upper back and shoulders at around 50% of your comfort level to try it at home. Make some gradual, moderate neck motions as you do this, such as rotating your head left and right and bending your neck up and down. Repeat the procedure for another 10 seconds or so until you have relief.
4. Hot stone massage
Smooth, flat, heated stones are included in hot stone massages, which can also relieve neck strain. Gonzalez claims heat “will generally better relax the muscle and fascia, producing enhanced pliability of the skin and muscle.” This highly calming method helps improve circulation, relieve stress, and lessen discomfort. Be cautious to see your doctor before doing this form of Best spa services if you have any health issues, especially skin problems like cancer, burns, psoriasis, eczema, or acne.
5. Assisted stretch therapy
Gonzalez recommends the aided stretch therapy massage method since stretching is also beneficial for the neck. According to him, the goal of this is to lengthen the muscles, which might grow shorter over time due to inactivity or activities performed with poor body mechanics. “I’ve noticed that happening pretty frequently in sportsmen or in persons who perform a lot of repeated actions. Therefore, stretching with a therapist can improve appropriate mobility by lengthening the muscles across the joints and the extremities.”
Before engaging in an aided stretching session or receiving any other Best spa services, do not forget to visit your doctor if you sustain any wounds, such as those sustained in auto accidents or sports. Gonzalez advises making stretching a habit and practicing it every day at home, even if professional stretching sessions are the most beneficial. While doing so, he makes sure to underline how delicate the neck region is. Therefore, be sure you stretch your neck slowly and carefully, and there should be no pain while you do so.
Efficacy of Massage Therapy
According to several research, receiving a few times per week for a few weeks of neck massage from a skilled expert can help reduce specific neck pain and enhance range of motion. Unfortunately, these effects often disappear quickly. While some researchers have identified advantages to using massage to treat neck pain and stiffness, other studies have not. It can be challenging to research massage therapy since there are many different forms of massage therapy and difficulties assessing how it is used. This further complicates issues. According to several studies, giving a moderately intense massage rather than a gentle one provides more significant advantages. If massage services help with chronic neck pain and stiffness, more study is required to understand whether the effects can be sustained.
