Neck Pain - Orthopedic Massage
Front
-Most neck pain is located on the back of the neck but there are times when patients have physical restrictions due to front neck muscles in the cervical region. -To ready the area I begin with a more standard massage technique which relaxes the muscles. -I then start to stretch the neck muscles out with long sweeping motions from the base of the jaw down to the clavicle. -Once the muscles have been primed I perform a cross fiber massage to the affected area which realigns the muscles and removes restrictions.
Back
-In a way the upper back and back of the neck are the same area because muscles there stretch across both parts of the body. -By massaging the neck with circular frictions where the muscle ends I can relieve tightness and pain by loosening the muscles. -If a patient has a strained neck I increase the pressure applied in order to access the muscle strain which is often located deep in the muscle system. -After massaging the back of the neck thoroughly the patient’s muscles will become loose and tension will be eliminated.