Massage is a great way to relieve neck pain in the short term, and frequent massages may be the most beneficial. A study found that receiving a 60-minute massage two or three times a week showed more benefits for people with neck pain than receiving a 60-minute massage once a week or a few 30-minute massages a week. Of course, not everyone can afford to get weekly or biweekly massages. But if finances are tight, there are still ways to ease your muscles.
Investing in a massage ball can help with all kinds of aches and pains, and it's an affordable option. When it comes to neck pain, training and experience make a difference in the amount of relief patients receive. Studies have found that neck massage can reduce pain and improve range of motion, especially when performed by a trained professional several times a week for several weeks. For those who sweat regularly, sports massage, deep stretches and deep tissue options can help loosen tight muscle bundles that have formed after hours of exercise.
If the massage is uncomfortable or too rough, it's important to tell the therapist immediately to reduce the intensity. It's also important to use a professional massage therapist for neck pain relief. More research is needed to determine if neck massage is beneficial in reducing chronic neck pain and stiffness, and if the results can be maintained. When getting a massage for neck pain, it doesn't need to be vigorous.
The therapist will usually apply the massage to the neck, shoulders and back since these regions are all connected. After consulting your therapist for the initial session, they will evaluate how often you should receive the massage based on their findings and insurance recommendations. Compared to people who didn't receive massages, those who received massages three times a week were nearly five times more likely to have clinically significant improvement in function and more than twice as likely to report a clinically significant decrease in pain. Massage itself is inherently relaxing and calms the nervous system, reducing symptoms of anxiety and tension. To experience the calming effects of a neck massage, most people don't need the massage to be vigorous.
There are many types of massage therapy, so it can be difficult to measure how massage therapy is applied. For people who have chronic neck pain and stiffness, it's common to seek massage therapy from a qualified massage therapist, physical therapist, or other health professional. Since massage helps reduce pain and soothes the nervous system, it is an excellent choice for those who suffer from chronic pain.
