Always massage upwards to keep the skin tight. When you massage your neck do it in an upward motion to keep the circulation going. The more blood flow you have going to your neck the better it will be on your skin. Massaging your neck will also keep the skin tight, which will help if you already have loose skin.
Massage down and inwards toward your collarbone. Always keep your fingers above your collarbone. Start massage on the area of your neck that is close to your shoulder and gently stretch the skin towards the middle of your neck.
These are areas on the body where deep, sustained pressure should not be done because nerves and/or blood vessels travel in that area. One area of endangerment is the anterior triangle of the neck, also known as the front part of the neck. This area contains both the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
Any vigorous neck movement that pulls the neck backward or pushes it forward can injure the blood vessels. Injury to the blood vessel is known as dissection in medical terms and can lead to the devastating paralytic attack or brain attack.
In massage therapy training, most learn about the “4 Ts” of palpation: Tone, Texture, Temperature, and Tenderness. This is an extremely useful list that aids the therapist in remembering and organizing; what is being felt, what that might tell us about the state or acuity of the tissues and what to do about it.
Some studies have found that neck massage can provide some neck pain relief and improved range of motion, especially when performed by a trained professional a few times a week for several weeks. These results tend to be temporary.
Doing massage therapy for neck pain can help reduce the severity of acute neck pain and help muscles relax. But, strictly doing massage therapy will likely not solve the underlying problems, even after the severe pain is gone.
A small pillow at the base of the neck can keep the head in a neutral position, while placing a pillow beneath the knees or thighs can keep the muscles along the spine flat and relax muscles in the neck.
The most common lumps or swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. These can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, cancer (malignancy), or other rare causes. Swollen salivary glands under the jaw may be caused by infection or cancer. Lumps in the muscles of the neck are caused by injury or torticollis.
This is a down and out direction, contrary to your natural inclination to rub upwards against gravity.” Bulzing adds that “going downward on the neck will help with lymphatic drainage.” However, if you want to prioritize relieving tension, she says that “using upward and outward motions relieves tension.”
Neck crepitus is cracking, popping, and grinding sounds in your neck. They can be caused by tightness and stiffness, poor posture, or arthritis. Neck crepitus isn't generally a cause for concern. But chronic, repetitive, or painful cracking could point to a more serious problem.
If you're suffering from tensions and aches that cannot be solved by a classic Swedish massage then a deep tissue massage might be the answer you're looking for! During a deep tissue massage, the pressure is stronger and concentrated on the problematic area which might lead to a little bit of discomfort.
A bump on the back of the head has many possible causes, including injuries, cysts, fatty growths, inflamed hair follicles, and bone spurs. Bumps on this part of the body can be hard or soft, and they can vary in size. Injuries are a common cause of bumps and lumps on the back of the head.
The first rule of massage therapy is always to obtain informed consent from the patient before starting a session. Informed consent between therapist and patient is critical in ensuring that any massage treatment will be safe, beneficial, and respectful for both parties involved in the session.
Deep Tissue Massage
If you have muscle soreness, tightness, trigger points, or injury, the slow strokes and deep finger pressure reach the deepest layers of your muscles and tissue to relieve chronic pain.
Is that normal? A: Experiencing sore or tight muscles is normal after a massage, especially if it has been a while since your last massage or you've never had one before. Massage is like exercise: It forces blood into your muscles, bringing nutrients and removing toxins.
Your Brain Releases Feel-Good Chemicals and Pain Diminishes
The therapist's touch causes an immediate reaction in your brain. As soon as your skin's nerve cells feel pressure, they signal the brain to release feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which boost your mood and give you a natural high.