Under a lot of duress, it is not uncommon for the body to get tensed at the neck, back and shoulders. While it is fine to sometimes feel such tension, if experienced too often can cause a lot of long term problems.
Pent up tension in the neck muscle can cause general malaise and continuous pain. So much so, that you may be unable to go on with your daily work and routine. For your general well being, it is important that the pain in the neck, shoulders and back be taken care of suitably.
One of the major causes of having a stiff and painful neck would be long work hours, stress and incorrect postures. All of these, put together, can wreak havoc within your muscles, causing spasms and wear and tear of the tissues.
Getting a neck and shoulder massage using a therapeutic essential oil can prove beneficial if you are experiencing a stiff neck. Getting a professional masseur to work on the tightness in your neck and back can be a sure shot way to relief. Another way is to get yourself an electronic massager which has nowadays become rather popular. However, no matter how you go about it, the most important thing is to understand the correct technique so that after a massage session, you end up feeling relaxed.
Neck Shoulder Massage Techniques
There are several massage techniques that can be used. The first is the self massage technique. This is a simple technique in which you can place your hands on the opposite shoulders and gently squeeze around the neck area. Using the strength of your fingers, knead the area gently but firmly. It will help release the tension in the shoulders and the neck. For best results, use Patchouli essential oil which can have a calming and soothing effect on the muscles and your mind too.
If you are receiving a massage from someone else, lie down on your side, placing a pillow under your head. The person administering the massage should begin with massaging the neck and work his (or her) way towards the shoulders and the upper arms. Around the shoulder blades, placing he should firmly massage the area in a circular motion. This will help relieve tension.
Turn your side and then guide the masseur to repeat the same on the other side.
Other relaxing aromatherapy oils that you can use are ylang ylang, lavender, jojoba and almond oil. All these are aromatic essential oils which when applied on the skin, help dilate the blood vessels, increasing blood flow and relaxing the tensed
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