Neck and Shoulder Pain
Neck and Shoulder Pain Relief Tips - These work for my neck and shoulder pain
Except for any noted source material, content copyright, Neva. J. Howell, all rights reserved
I work at the computer almost every day. I work A LOT. So, there are lots of days that I end up with neck and shoulder pain. Two regular practices I have integrated into schedule with the sort of regularity with which other women might be appointments for having their hair or nails done, are massage and chiropractic care.
Getting massage as often as I can, and getting regular chiropractic adjustments (I only go to chiropractors who practice low-force or no-force chiropractic care, the best of which
is, interestingly enough, called B.E.S.T.) have helped tremendously and I’ve learned to help them do a more effective job by doing my own work in-between visits.
In general, I get up from the chair more often and stretch. I also have specific neck and shoulder stretches that I do in the shower every day. This is particularly good
because the hot water has already warmed the tissues so that stretching is easier and I can stretch more.
Hair-Pulling for Neck and Shoulder Pain
I’m tender-headed and the thought of pulling my own hair, or having someone else pull it, was not appetizing. The first time my massage therapist suggested it, I wanted to say no.
I’m so glad I didn’t say no. If done properly, hair-pulling can provide a great deal of relief for neck stiffness and can even relieve tense shoulders by loosening the scalp.
I start at the base of the skull, near the occipitals. I just take a small amount of hair and slowly stretch it, rather than actually pulling, straight up. Then, very slowly I move the hair so that
I’m pulling the scalp underneath in all four directions. When that part of the scalp feels a bit more loose, I move on. In my case, it usually just requires doing the occipital area on both sides but you can use hair-pulling to loosen the entire scalp.
Another great way to help the body let go of shoulder tension, which also helps neck tension, is to take a brush and gently tap, bristle side down, on the top of the shoulders. I read about this in Donna Eden’s book on Energy Medicine.