Category: Neck Tension

MUSCLE TENSION & ANXIETY

6/27/2013

ANXIETY HAS FAR REACHING EFFECTS ON THE BODY THAT INCLUDE MUSCLE TENSION and HEADACHES.Why does this happen? Anxiety is a form of the "fight/flight' response. Under normal conditions this reaction to danger is useful in preparation for either running away, or getting ready to fight. The result is a contracted abdomen, raised shoulders, contracted neck muscles, and a clenched jaw.
IF however this "threat" (whether actual or perceived) is a constant stressor it begins to affect the muscles in a chronic way. Clients talk about always having "tense shoulders" and not remembering how they got up around their ears! Low grade anxiety seems to have plagued society today.
Imagine what it would be like if we Could feel the process happening, become Aware, and Reduce it before it causes pain and headaches.

See this YouTube video on how the neck and shoulders relate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi-MYp2rURo

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The Dangers of Stretching- the neck

11/4/2012

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The problem with stretching is that we often overstretch the area that is most flexible in the first place. Why do we do this?

Areas that are chronically lengthened tend to hurt more then the shortened, tight areas. Massage Therapists knows this.

The sweet pain you get when your therapist hits that "knot" is in a muscle that is chronically lengthened, NOT shortened.
Therefore, in stretching we are sensing pulling, pain or a limitation and so we pull more to decrease the sensation of "tightness"(yet, it is the short muscles that we really need to access). We temporarily change the sensation in the area so that it feels like we have corrected the situation.

Think of the neck muscles as a series of rubberbands connecting to various vertebrae(bones) in the neck. The rubberbands vary in length. Some cross one vertebrae while others will span more than one vertebrae. If there are any rubberbands that are lengthened chronically then those vertebrae will bend more easily.
We therefore, run the risk of irritating those vertebrae, compressing the shortened side even more and pinching nerves.

Here is a safe and gentle way to lengthen and decompress the sides of your neck:
First make sure you are sitting comfortably and evenly on each hip. This should be done GENTLY and SLOWLY so as not to elicit tension or pain. Breath in and gently bring your shoulders up toward your ears. Breath out, and gently lower your shoulders.
1. Breath in and slowly bring your Right ear and your Right shoulder closer together. Breath out and gently bring your ear and shoulder back to its resting place. Do this 5 times, making sure you are not forcing or pulling anything. It needs to be done without symptoms.
2. Notice the difference you feel on your Right side from your Left side of your neck.
3. Repeat this movement on the Left side.
4. You will notice a generalized improved mobility in the sides of your neck! Amazing!

Here is a wonderful YouTube video showing another way to reduce neck pain by involving the whole spine! It takes only 2 minutes but you will immediately notice an improvement in mobility. You will be amazed at how moving mindfully gets the results you want without stretching.

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Take a minute to reduce strain in your neck!

10/24/2012

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Sitting all day at work? In front of a desk or computer? Here is a quick and easy way to relieve tension in your neck!

Do This! take a Mindful Minute and you will
feel better!

It doesn't take much to reduce tension if you approach it in a gentle way.

1. EXHALE as you slowly turn your head and eyes to the Right, do the same when you turn to the Left

2. Now turn your Eyes in the OPPOSITE direction when you turn your head. If you turn your head right,
then turn your eyes left.
Make the movement SMALL and SLOW and keep breathing.
Repeat 10 times with your eyes Open and 10 times with your eyes Closed.

3. GO back to turning your eyes and head the Same direction and feel the change in mobility!

Apply the same steps to looking up and down, EXHALING when you move, having the eyes go with and opposite your head movements. Remember to make small and slow movements!

Please join us the next fall series of classes

There will be 6 Tuesday classes:
November 6 - December 11, 2012

The focus will be Shoulder, Neck, and Jaw Relief

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MUSCLE TENSION & ANXIETY

The Dangers of Stretching- the neck

Take a minute to reduce strain in your neck!

Fariya Doctor

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