Cure for Sore Shoulders and Neck
Published on May 5th, 2008 in Fitness, Health with
Who gets tight, sore muscles in the back of your neck and shoulders? Raise your hands!
I do. I get tight knots embedded deep within my muscles that give masseuses a run for their money! (Well, I am paying them, so they better not run until after the massage!)
I do love massages, but they can be expensive! I don’t want to shell out money for that sort of thing every month.
Massage chairs are a bit pricey too. I only try them in those funky, gadget stores.
Hubby is an alternative to the day spa. Think of how much money would be saved by my husband giving me neck and shoulder massages? As it is, giving (or getting) massages just isn’t his thing; go figure. Nix the husband masseuse option.
I’ve tried using a tennis ball on different trigger points in my back. I lie on the floor and position the ball right where the knot is located, and then I just sink into it. That yields one of those “good pain” sensations. Unfortunately I haven’t found the trick to getting those knots deep within my shoulders or even the back of my neck. I need a device that will push straight down into my shoulders - besides my own fingers. (Your hands and fingers get sore after being contorted into a position that will allow them to push really hard on tight shoulder knots.)
Enter the Shiatsu bar I found at Amazon called the Body Back
Buddy. (That’s fun to say.) I don’t own one, but I did put it on my Wish List. 
Why not? It looks awkward, yet promising, and I’m willing to give it try. I might frighten people if I take it to work, though.
Also, I recently read that a weak trapezius muscle could be the culprit to neck strain. The trapezius muscle runs roughly from the bottom of your neck down to the middle of your back. It fans across the shoulders too. And if you sit at a computer all day, that causes even greater risk of developing those muscle knots. Strengthening your back, namely the trapezius, can help diminish those knots.
I also believe proper posture is pivotal to minimizing muscle soreness, as well. Slouching puts extra strain on the back, shoulder, and neck.
So, I’m going to pay extra attention to my posture while sitting at the computer, and I shall seek out exercises to strengthen my trapezius. I still really like the looks of that Shiatsu bar, though!
That bar DOES look interesting. Also stretching is a wonderful invention. It’s surprising how much better your back can feel when you stand up straight and with good posture, too.
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Sagan,
A good stretch can feel so good. Stretch the arms up. Roll the head. Roll the shoulders back. Pretend like your hugging a huge beach ball. All feel very good to the back - although there may be some popping noises involved!
According to one of my roommates, I have magic hands. But she’s the only one who thinks so. I like a combination of massages from Micah and stretching. Of course, I injured my back rather badly 3 times between 9 and 15. Ended up in physical therapy. So I don’t expect it to ever be really well.
For massages, I like using Astroglide’s 2 in 1 warming personal lubricant.
Mrs. Micah of magic hands,
An injured back once is NO party, let alone 3 times! Ouch!!! I’m sure you’re very cognizant of your back and protecting it from any potential injury. Proper strengthening and stretching exercises can provide some of that protection.