5 Tips for Neck and Shoulder Care Between Massage Appointments

People with neck and shoulder issues often have their pain return before their next massage appointment. Work, play, children, (even dogs!) all make demands on the body. A dull ache can quickly turn into a burning pain especially while folding laundry, doing yard work, playing on the computer or any of the other million things you do. What can you do between professional massage appointments to take the edge off neck and shoulder pain? Here are some ideas. Take a Break

Take short breaks as often as you can if you sit at a computer all day. Move your shoulders around and s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Ideally you can get up and move around a bit. But even if you're chained to the desk, you can rock out a little Deskercise to stay loose.

Get the kids into it

Have a short yoga break together! There are plenty of videos made especially for kids, and the moves are just as beneficial for adults. Bonus: got a little one averse to nap time? Try the lying-down postures here and maybe you'll get a short break.

Heat it

Just 10-15 minutes of heat on your shoulders can make a huge difference in how your tissue moves and feels. You don't need a fancy heating pad, you can DIY that.

Self-massage

Try it, you might be surprised how much it helps! I've recently been introduced to this simple self massage tool that in my opinion beats all the others, hands down. It was invented and developed by a massage therapist, which I think says it all.

Choose the right pillow

You spend about a third of your time in bed, be sure it's cozy for your neck. Side-sleepers have different needs than belly-sleepers. The right pillow at night can help you all day. Here's the one I've been using for quite a while. You may need to add a thin pillow for your head when lying on your side.

A few minutes of self care every day, little changes, can make a huge difference to how you feel. See you at your next Sedona massage therapy appointment!