Want to get rid of tightness in your neck or shoulders? Improving your posture can help, but a neck massage is also an effective way to relieve that tension.
We all know that neck massage is good for us, but did you know just how many benefits it has and how easy it can be to learn some neck massage techniques? This blog post explores 10 incredible benefits of a neck massage.
However, the below top 10 benefits of getting a neck massage can help you make the most out of your experience.
Table of Contents
Why neck massage feels good?
Here is the list of things why neck massage feels good?
- It increases circulation to both the neck and head, which clears out the fluids that can build up in your neck. This is particularly helpful for people who have experienced a lot of stress or trauma; it can help them feel more relaxed and less anxious.
- Massaging your neck gently will open up any tight muscles that are due to tension or stress in the neck.
- If you have a headache, a neck massage can help relieve that pain and pressure by loosening up your muscles.
- It helps calm an overactive mind and is one of many ways to get relief from anxiety and depression.
- The stimulates blood flow which increases oxygen supply to the brain, resulting in improved focus and concentration.
Who should receive a neck massage?
- Anyone who is stressed, neck pain sufferers.
- Those with stiff necks or shoulder tension.
- People who work in front of a computer for long periods of time (repetitive stress injury).
Top 10 Neck Massage Benefits
Here are the 10 top benefits of neck massage:
- Neck massage relieves stress.
- Neck massage helps to heal a sore throat, sinuses, and head colds. It also eases coughs or bronchitis in the chest area by loosening mucus from the lungs and airways.
- Neck massages can help reduce headaches as well as other types of pain such as shoulder pain and back stiffness (referring to upper spine) because it relaxes muscles that are tight or overused.
- It also good for releasing tension in your arms if you spend long periods typing at a computer keyboard all-day
- Neck massages promote better circulation which then improves general health including reducing blood pressure levels, regulating heart rate, improving mood through increased serotonin production, controlling the appetite, and decreasing the risk of developing high blood pressure.
- Neck massages can help with mild cases of depression by stimulating serotonin production, which can improve mood.
- Neck massage relieves stress in the shoulders because it’s much easier on this area than hands or feet. It stretches tense shoulder muscles away from neck thus relieving headaches while improving circulation during sessions.
- This massage reduces anxiety levels as well as pain related to muscle spasms in the chest area (referring to upper spine). People who suffer from chronic coughs experience relief when they receive regular neck massage treatments. The release of tension helps them breathe more easily too according to colds, flu, and other respiratory diseases.
- Neck massage is a great way to relieve anxiety, depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure as well – just by massaging the neck! What’s more? It helps strengthen muscles that are used in head movements because of its role when we turn our head from side to side or up/down.
- It also helps improve the flexibility of the spine, which improves posture too. Improved postures equal less back pain associated with poor sitting habits (sitting at work etc).
7 Techniques of Neck Massaging
There are plenty of neck massage techniques to choose from, including Swedish Massage or deep tissue work that includes trigger point therapy, which focuses on muscle knots found in the neck region.
The best way is to try out a few different types before you decide what feels good for your skin type and needs. Experimentation can lead to an improved understanding of what works. It’s important not to be afraid of pain when receiving these treatments because it’s often accompanied by therapeutic relief!
- When using pressure during sessions, make sure not too use too much as this might cause more harm than good, which defeats the entire purpose of performing neck massages in order to promote healing.
- Support your neck with one hand and use the other to massage the muscles on either side of it, starting from the base of your skull all the way down to where it meets your shoulders.
- Use firm pressure but don’t push too hard as you’ll only end up hurting yourself! Really focus on these spots: just below your earlobe, in between both shoulder blades, right next to each vertebrae at the back of your neck, and around any tightness or knots that are found there. Oh yeah, do not forget those big muscles along the sides of your neck too!
- You could also try using deep tissue techniques for more intense relief by applying medium pressure while moving your hands in a circular motion.
- Have someone else give you a neck massage for even better results! Not only will they have more strength and control than you do, but the extra attention might work wonders on their self-esteem too.
- You can also try lying down with your head overhanging the edge of an elevated surface like your bed or couch while having another person gently rub all along either side of it to ease any tension in those muscles that are there.
- Another option is to use a chair by going into a half-sitting position (with one leg bent at the knee) while leaning both arms against its backrest for support before applying pressure against tense areas on either side of your neck.
The above video about neck massage technique using massage oil.
When should you get a neck massage?
- If you are feeling neck pain and tightness regularly.
- When your neck is sore or stiff from tension, poor posture, stress, sleeping in a strange position, etc.
- Whenever you want to relax after a long day of work or physical activity like sports, etc.
How often should one get a neck massage?
You can get at least one/every week, but if it feels better for the body then more than once per month is recommended. The frequency also depends on how stressed out one’s lifestyle might be as well as their occupation, which may require frequent neck strain due to heavy lifting or bending over an object for hours each day. Pick what works best with your schedule so you don’t overdo it.
In Conclusion
This is a good way to relieve stress and neck pain, if done correctly. It’s important not to overdo it, as in any other activity involving the body. One can take care of his or her own neck massages at home, but make sure they are qualified enough for that kind of work if they aren’t partners with someone else.
One can have neck massages with a partner, but always check if they are qualified to do so. If not, then one should be careful because neck massage is very delicate and might worsen the situation instead of healing it in some cases.
