How to Use Massage to Relieve Neck Pain

Therapeutic massage is a popular way of dealing with neck pain. As massage is a non-invasive approach to dealing with pain and discomfort, it can be used safely by most people, regardless of their age, general health or physical condition. Read on to learn how to use massage to relieve neck pain.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Towel
• Massage oil
• Partner
• Chair

Massage Your Neck to Relieve Pain

1. Recline on the floor with a towel rolled up right under your shoulder blades. This will allow your neck to stretch and your spine to lengthen.
2. Wait a few minutes, relaxing your muscles.
3. Stand up and sit straight on a chair.
4. Use massage oil. For neck massages and those intended to relieve headache pain, choose oil that contains capsaicin, as it warms up with use, providing a comfortable sensation to the touch.
5. Use your hands to locate the trapezoid muscle, which runs down from your neck and across the top of your shoulder. If you are trying to relieve pain on the left side of your neck, use your right hand and vice versa.
6. Start from the top and use your fingers to knead the muscles hard enough that you can feel the pressure without experiencing pain.
7. Supplement massages with stretching. Use light stretches, alternated with bouts of self-massage to get relief from neck pain. For this, tilt your head to one side and hold that position for a few seconds, making sure that you keep the shoulders relaxed.
8. Move the head to the other side and up and down for a complete stretch.
9. Evaluate your level of pain relief. If you don't experience enough relief when you use your bare hands, consider buying a massage tool that provides either heat or vibration to the body.
10. Find a partner and take turns massaging each other.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are massaging somebody else, start by rubbing the neck muscles rather than kneading. Move on to more intense movements as the person indicates that there is no pain.
• If you are massaging somebody else, be careful. Some people are more sensitive than others, and you could pull a muscle or tweak a nerve if you apply too much pressure on the wrong area.
• Pay attention to areas that feel weak or too sensitive to the touch. If you experience pain that is too strong or localized, you may require professional help to ensure that you don't have a more serious problem.