The Mighty Neck

Chiropractors call the neck - the arc of life! The lordotic C-shaped curve is crucial for neurological, biomechanical, and overall health of the body and the mind. Furthermore, the neck contains major arteries that carry oxygenated blood to the brain. The neck also contains major nerves, blood vessels, the thymus and the thyroid gland, the esophagus, trachea, and the larynx and vocal cords.  Stress, poor posture, and excess computer use can stiffen the neck; therefore, diminish healthy brain nourishment.
Neck and shoulders massage is beneficial for everybody even young and healthy people! However, there are medical conditions that benefit from the neck and shoulders massage therapy:

1. Degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. If you have a bulging or herniated disc, injury, or had neck surgery, your neck needs regular therapeutic massages and exercise program to loosen up muscular tension. The neck massage is a great preventative tool that dramatically slows down degenerative process in the cervical spine.
2. Tension headaches. Repetitive movements, poor posture, bad pillow, stress, and frequent computer and improper cell phone use (“the tech neck” phenomenon) use strains the neck muscles which compress the greater and minor occipital nerves. Massage therapy allows to eliminate tension in the neck muscles; therefore, free the nerve, and relieve a headache.
3. Neck and shoulders pain due to chronic physical overload. People of certain professions (teachers, dentists, hairstylists, estheticians, and office workers) suffer from chronic tension in the neck and shoulders. Regular massage or self-massage is a recipe for professional longevity. Get one today!
4. High blood pressure. Massage therapy lowers blood pressure and allows to reduce the amount of medication to control blood pressure. There are specific massage techniques that lower blood pressure. And, there are techniques to increase the blood pressure. Always discuss your situation with your massage therapist for a proper protocol.
5. Stroke. Massage therapy increases blood circulation to the brain and aids on recovery after stroke. The research suggests that people who include regular massage therapy in the recovery program, bounce back faster, get control of their body quicker, and their emotional health is better compare to people who don’t get massage therapy after stroke. Massage therapy helps to gain the quality of life back after stroke.

Furthermore, massage will help to decrease stress and anxiety. Any stress reducing full body massage will grant you those benefits. However, since neck, shoulders and the scalp carry a lot of physical, mental and emotional stress, you will feel relaxed, calm, and focused even after a 10-minute neck and shoulders rub.  Massage therapy allows to balance the fight-or-flight (SNS) and the rest-digest-repair-reproduce (PSN) parts of the autonomic nervous system which leads to healing and robust health. Neck and scalp have acupressure points to manage stress as well.

Lastly, if you feel tired, take a break from work by applying self-massage on the neck and shoulders area to recharge your batteries and increase mental focus! Would you like for me to demonstrate simple yet effective self-massage techniques on YouTube? Let me know.
​
Always trust your neck to a professional licensed massage therapist and a chiropractor. Remember, you should never feel pain or discomfort during or after a massage. Massage is also contraindicated for certain medical conditions. Always consult your doctor before getting a massage if you are unsure if it's right for you.

1. “Massage Therapy for Stroke Rehabilitation” retrieved from https://www.ovcmt.com/about/whats-new/post/6/Massage_Therapy_for_Stroke_Rehabilitation/
2. “What role does the neck paly in overall health?” retrieved from https://www.sharecare.com/health/the-musculoskeletal-system/what-role-neck-overall-health
3. Avery RM. Massage therapy for cervical degenerative disc disease: alleviating a pain in the neck? Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2012;5(3):41‐46. doi:10.3822/ijtmb. v5i3.146 retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3457722/#:~:text=Some%20applicable%20techniques%20of%20therapeutic,symptoms%20and%20most%20aggravated%20sites.
4. Givi M. Durability of effect of massage therapy on blood pressure. Int J Prev Med. 2013;4(5):511‐516 retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3733180/
5. Kong LJ, Zhan HS, Cheng YW, Yuan WA, Chen B, Fang M. Massage therapy for neck and shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:613279. doi:10.1155/2013/613279 retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3600270/
6. Lämås K, Häger C, Lindgren L, Wester P, Brulin C. Does touch massage facilitate recovery after stroke? A study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:50. Published 2016 Feb 4. doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1029-9 retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4743203/