A pain in the neck
Last week we had a look at non-specific lower back problems and how massage therapy can help relieve the pain. Of course, when treating a client with a painful lower back I would always consider the whole body and this is the same as someone who complains of a stiff neck. Often, both head and neck strain is caused by tension in the supporting muscles of the neck and this can be because of either physical or emotional stress. This makes the muscles feel tight and uncomfortable and the pain is most often felt in the upper back and back part of the neck. You may experience tension or stress headaches which can cause discomfort; this often spreads from the upper back and neck over the head. It can feel like something is pressing on the top of your head or being wound tightly around it. Tiredness, too much screen time and the pressure of deadlines all put our muscles under pressure - not just the muscles in the neck and back, but our eyes, too. Read here how the symptoms of stress can be relieved with massage.
Back problems? Have a massage!
Unfortunately back pain is common and affects most people at some point during their lives. It is often triggered by lifting something incorrectly, sitting badly, sleeping awkwardly, bending, having a fall, stress or from sustaining a sporting injury. This is known as acute (sudden onset) lower back pain. In most cases it is not due to a serious disease or a chronic back problem. Chronic back pain is measured by duration - pain that persists for more than 3 months and is often progressive. As with acute back problems, the cause of the pain can be unclear and this is known as non-specific lower back pain. The pain can range from mild to severe. This is the most common form of back discomfort in adults and the type of back problem I often see and treat regularly.
Are you sitting comfortably?
Are you slumped over your laptop reading this? Or hunched over your mobile phone? Perhaps you are at the end of a long day and are leaning back in your seat because your lower back has started to ache. Sitting at a computer all day can take its toll on the body which can lead to back pain, neck pain, knee pains and sometimes a tingling of the hands and fingers. With prolonged bad sitting habits, this could easily turn into Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In this blog post I will have a look at how you can maintain good posture and be comfortable at your desk all day.
Stress - and how massage can benefit you
We all feel stress at certain times in our lives, some of us being able to deal with stress more easily than others. Many of us recognise the feeling of stress; say when a deadline is drawing near, exam time, death or illness of someone close in your life or having financial worries. Stress can come in many forms with the sufferer showing symptoms of some, or all of the following:
Increased heart rateIncreased blood pressure
Headaches
Stiff neck and shoulders
Lower back pain
Fast breathing
Sweating
Upset digestive system