It is estimated that neck pain will affect up to 70% of Australians in their lifetime.
According to some studies, the estimated one year incidence of neck pain in adults ranges between 10.4% and 21.3% with a higher incidence noted in office and computer workers in any given year.
Massage therapy by a skilled therapist can be an effective treatment for neck pain.
I experience neck pain. What relieves it for me is regular neck exercises and stretches, plus remedial massages. I tried chiropractic treatments but it often increased pain and the treatments didn’t last. Other people experience improvement with chiropractic adjustments. If you are seeing a chiropractor then regular remedial massages will be beneficial and help your adjustments last longer because massage will loosen tight muscles and improve muscular function. It doesn’t make sense to have an adjustment only to have your tight muscles pull the vertebrae out of place again!
Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash
What causes neck pain?
- Poor posture or repetitive strain from work or other activities: such as leaning forward when you do computer work, slumped shoulders, looking down at your phone, etc.
- Stress: stress and anxiety can cause muscle tightness, contributing to neck pain and even headaches.
- Degenerative conditions: degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, etc.
- Autoimmune illnesses: such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, etc.
- Injury: such as whiplash from car accident, herniated discs, sports injuries, etc.
Note that if you constantly bring your head forward, or are looking down at your phone a lot, you will create forward head posture which makes your head heavier for your neck muscles to support and causes strain to neck muscles which can lead to pain and permanent changes in the spine over a period of time. Regular massages, stretching, neck exercises and good posture can prevent this issue.
Stress is a significant contributor to neck pain, often leading to muscular tension. Regular massage can help lower cortisol levels in the body and promote relaxation, which reduces stress-related neck pain. By addressing both the physical and mental aspects of neck pain, massage can offer comprehensive relief.
How Massage Therapy Helps Relieve Neck Pain
Massage therapy is often recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for neck pain. Here’s how it works:
- Reduces Muscle Tension and Spasms
One of the most common causes of neck pain is muscle tightness. Massage techniques like kneading, stroking, and applying pressure help to release muscle tension, promoting relaxation and easing tightness. Regular massage helps keep the muscles flexible, reducing the chances of muscle spasms, which can exacerbate pain. - Improves Blood Circulation
When muscles are tense or injured, blood flow can be restricted, preventing nutrients from reaching the affected area. Massage improves circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles while flushing out waste products. This promotes faster healing and reduces inflammation, providing relief from pain. - Stimulates Endorphin Release
Massage therapy triggers the release of endorphins – the body’s natural painkillers. These chemicals interact with receptors in the brain, reducing the perception of pain. The endorphin boost not only helps alleviate pain but also improves mood and overall well-being. - Promotes Relaxation and Stress Relief
Stress is a major contributor to neck pain, as it can cause muscle tightness and tension. Massage is known to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system), which promotes relaxation. The calming effect of a massage helps reduce anxiety and stress, which can prevent future neck pain flare-ups. - Improves Range of Motion
Stiffness in the neck can restrict your ability to move your head freely. This limited range of motion is often accompanied by pain. Regular massage helps loosen up the muscles and joints, improving flexibility and making it easier to move your neck without discomfort.
Additional Benefits of Massage for Neck Pain
- Improved Sleep: Neck pain can make it difficult to get a good night’s rest. Regular massage can help reduce discomfort, making it easier to sleep peacefully.
- Posture Improvement: By relieving muscular tension, massage can help to improve posture and prevent future neck issues.
- Reduced Headaches: Since neck pain is often associated with tension headaches, massage can help relieve both neck and head pain, providing holistic relief.
Remedial Massage for Neck Pain
Remedial massage involves a range of techniques to locate problem areas and stimulate healing. You can expect anything from deep to gentle pressure, trigger point therapy, cupping, muscle energy techniques, myofascial release or stretching. Other forms of massage can also help neck pain however remedial massage is more targeted and comprehensive.
When to Seek Massage for Neck Pain
If your neck pain is the result of an injury, like a car accident, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness, it’s important to consult a healthcare practitioner before undergoing massage. A medical professional can determine the cause of your pain and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
A qualified remedial massage therapist knows when to refer you to a different health practitioner (such as your G.P.). In Australia, massage is unregulated so some people offering massage have not done a comprehensive qualification and may not know when to refer you on.
If your neck pain is more related to stress, tension, poor posture, old injuries, or to help manage pain (such as arthritis and other conditions) massage therapy is a safe and effective option to relieve discomfort and prevent future flare-ups.
When a muscle tenses it tends to stay that way unless manually manipulated (such as through massage). So when your neck muscles get tight, they will continue to get tighter and more painful and cause stiffness, reducing range of motion. Giving it more time to get better does not help. Why suffer for longer than you have to? Your pain may reduce (or you just get used to it!), but those muscles are still tight and it’s only a matter of time until you are in pain again.
When you experience pain generally it means your condition may have worsened. Being pain-free doesn’t indicate that you don’t need bodywork. Some clients aren’t even aware of all of the areas they are tense until I am working on them, because a lot of people are living more in their minds and not truly inhabiting their body (connecting to all the feelings and sensations present). There’s a disconnect, a lack of awareness of the body.
This is why it is recommended you have a massage at least once a month, just for maintenance.
Some simple neck stretches:
Blessings,
Bella
References:
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