My Neck is Killing Me: Massage & Relief

I see many injuries but by far neck pain, especially sharp neck pain that produces chronic headaches is one of the most common. This discomfort can come from many sources such as from a previous car accident, a fall, sleeping the “wrong” way and bad posture.

• Whiplash- this name is appropriately given to the whipping of the head in a rapid motion, either front to back or side to side. The weight of the average human head is 11 pounds, resulting in excessive strain to your neck muscles when trying to… well, keep your head attached during a forceful impact.
• Slip and Fall- ever fallen in a slippery bath tub or landed on your shoulder while playing a game? If so, upon landing your neck braces itself in an act of self-defense. This sudden tightness of your neck is also considered traumatic and could result in some serious pain afterwards.

• Sleeping- doesn’t sound very dangerous but there’s a healthy reason we turn in our sleep and one of those is to avoid being in one position and developing a muscle cramp or spasm. In a hospital setting, nurses often turn bed-ridden patients to prevent sores, blood clots and muscle aching. There’s a reason that some movement during sleep is necessary.

• Bad posture- Eleven pounds! That’s what our necks are responsible for toting around. Turn that into a forward head posture while sitting at your computer all day and night and you’re looking at muscle tension in your neck being a condition slowly on the rise.

So, you’ve decided that you need a good massage to get those “kinks” out of your neck. Before you call to schedule an appointment consider that your therapist will have to be experienced in working with neck injuries and pain. Why? Because the neck is a highly sensitive area, the beginning of your spinal column and the spinal cord. Also, your cervical area houses important structures that the therapist must know how to navigate around, such as:

• carotid arteries, subclavian artery, occipital artery.
• Nerves-spinal accessory, hypoglossal, vagus, great auricular, transverse cervical, supraclavicular, occipital.
• Pharanx (major passageway for air, food and liquid.)
• Trachea (beginning part)
• Intricate muscles attached to your neck vertebrae
• Vein- jugular

The structures above do not cover the expanse of cervical anatomy but only the major areas. Unless the massage therapist is well versed in the anatomy of the cervical area you are looking at further injury. Possible outcomes could include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Damage to the trachea
• Airway obstruction or the feeling of being choked

The above mentioned sensations can happen during the massage and or afterwards. The neck is an area that most people fear having worked on and for good reason. Your body instinctively knows that this a vital area that houses important structures the are necessary for life function. You cannot compare massage to the bicep muscle or leg muscles as being equivalent to the neck.

When searching for a qualified massage therapist to alleviate neck pain, ask the following questions:

• How long have you been practicing massage (actual hands-on experience)
• Are you a certified Neuromuscular Therapist? Medical Massage or Orthopedic Massage?
• Where did you receive your neuromuscular massage training?
• What percentage of your massage clients come in for neck pain?
• What previous injuries have you treated with neck pain?
• Where have you worked in the past that has given you access to treating people with neck pain?

These questions are a thorough way of assuring you that you are taking the right steps in finding a competent therapist for your neck pain. If they hesitate or do not give you answers you feel comfortable, it is a risk you’ll be undertaking.

The anatomy of the neck is both fascinating and complex with many detailed areas that need specific work with great attention to detail. The good news is that neuromuscular massage can provide incredible relief to those suffering from neck pain and headaches.

I myself, have experienced the work of a gifted massage therapist when I’ve had terrible and debilitating neck pain and headaches. If your Massage Therapist cannot provide you with this type of work, ask them for a referral.

In conclusion, a word on herniated and bulging discs. If your neck pain and headaches are a result of this, massage can help by significantly reducing the level of muscular tension. These muscle spasms are caused by the irritation of the nerves located in your neck by the disc that is touching them or possibly leaking fluid. Although massage cannot place the disc back in place, it can relax the muscles in your neck creating less pain and flexibility and is an excellent form of therapy.