Stress and pressure can come from a lot of places. Most of us get it from work and school, but at home stressors can also build. If left unchecked, too much stress can lead to physical pain such as headaches, back pain or neck pain. Most people suffer from back and neck pain and it could be stress that’s the culprit.
In case of stress manifesting physically, one of the best solutions is to get yourself a massage. But, what kinds of massages can help to relieve you of pain in the neck and back? Here are 11 types of massages that can help you feel better and what’s best is that some of these can be done in the comfort of your own home.
1. Get immediate relief from knowing your pressure points.
Sometimes, pain from too much stress can come when you are in the middle of something and it might be difficult to massage it right away. In these kinds of moments, your immediate pain relief can come from self-massage.
By massaging certain pressure or trigger points on your palm and the soles of your feet, your body will be able to send signals to the part where the pain is felt so that the ache will subside. However, since there are various trigger points in our body, it is best to get a consultation with a specialist first before doing this method on your own.
Whenever you want to try this one out, you must remember to always find the most comfortable position, relax your mind and body as much as you can and breathe deeply to help reduce your stress levels.
2. Use a tennis ball to manage back pain.
Who said tennis balls are only useful in a game of tennis? You can make use of these brightly colored balls in times of back pain. These balls’ soft but firm material makes them the perfect tool for one to give themselves a massage. All you have to do is push your weight onto the ball and use a wall to support it. Here’s how you can accomplish a tennis ball massage:
– Stand with your back against the wall.
– Place the tennis ball between the wall and your back, resting just between your shoulder and neck.
– Move slowly from side to side, pausing every 15 to 20 seconds. If you feel a knot or a tight spot, you can press your back on said area for a bit longer or apply harder pressure through your weight.
– Repeat this on both sides of your back.
3. Relieve pain in the upper back.
This part of the body is one of the first areas where you feel pain once you are stressed out. You can ease the tension by doing the following steps:
– Correct your posture and stand straight.
– Slowly and carefully massage your upper back using your left hand. Make sure that you don’t put too much pressure.
– Do this repeatedly until you feel the tension being released on the aching area.
4. Using a hot towel to ease pain on your back.
Heat application can also greatly help in relieving your tired muscles of pain and stress. To do this method, what you need is a warm towel and you can proceed with the following steps:
– Place the warm towel on the affected area.
– Rub it on the pained portion and make sure to apply the right amount of pressure on tight spots.
– You may repeat this about two to three times on the affected area.
5. Relax with a hot stone massage.
If you can find the time, it is also a great option to get a massage therapist to help you with neck and back problems. And one of the most popular methods around is by getting yourself a hot stone massage.
This technique makes use of smooth stones warmed just right and placed on your back so that the therapist can reach deep tissues in the muscles of your back and relieve you of pain. This method also encourages better blood flow because the heat helps in expanding blood vessels in your back. Combined with other massage therapy techniques, hot stone massages can bring healing not only to your back but to your entire body.
6. Try out cranial sacral therapy.
Using gentle pressure on your neck, back and head, cranial sacral therapy is meant to relieve pain brought about by compression. As a result, this therapy does not only help in getting rid of back and neck pain, it can also rid you of other aches caused by migraine or chronic fatigue.
We don’t realize how muc tension we hold onto at the end of the day and by applying pressure to these points one can get immediate relief.
However, this kind of treatment needs to be done by a specialist because it involves gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, pelvis, and spine meant to restore the right flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system. By removing “blockages” from the normal flow, the body’s healing process can be enhanced.
7. Relieve tension with a Shiatsu massage.
Shiatsu is another method used to relieve muscle pain, this time by applying pressure through the fingers. It is a combination of Chinese and Japanese techniques and the Japanese word “shiatsu” actually translates to “finger pressure”.
Therapists put pressure on your tired muscles using their palm and fingers, aimed to ease tension in the body. It also includes assisted stretching and joint mobilization and manipulation.
8. Try an ayurvedic potli massage.
A method that came from India, Ayurvedic Potli massage involves using herbs and oil in healing a patient’s muscle pain. By using “potli” or poultice, which is actually heated pouches containing well-chosen herbs inside, therapists are able to rejuvenate and relax the affected part of the body.
The potlis are also used to apply pressure on strained areas of the back and body in order to give maximum relief. There are various Ayurvedic herbs available for you and in order to get the best results, you will need to let the therapist know what you want to accomplish.
9. Stretch with a Thai yoga massage.
Thai Yoga massage or most commonly referred to as Thai massage is a technique that involves yoga techniques in order to relieve pressure and lower stress levels in the body. This method actually uses no oils or lotions and the patient remains clothed the entire time.
It mainly focuses on stretching the body and pulling muscles the right way for pain relief and to achieve maximum relaxation. This massage is perfect if you want to get a good stretch.
10. Alleviate pressure with a deep tissue massage.
If you are into sports and have a really active lifestyle, getting a deep tissue massage might be the perfect treatment for you. This method is designed to address musculoskeletal issues normally caused by sports injuries or too much strain due to over-activity.
By focusing on certain muscle groups, the therapist will be able to help you release tension and make the strained muscle free of pain and ready for activity again. To increase the amount of pressure applied, elbows, forearms and palms are used by the therapist.
11. Improve blood circulation through a Swedish massage.
This method is perfect for a beginner getting massage therapy because it is designed to help relax the entire body. Before getting one, you can talk specifically with your therapist about the pain you are experiencing so they will know how to make a massage routine that is customized to your needs.
Swedish massage is done by kneading, doing deep circular movements and by applying pressure through long gliding strokes that make blood circulation better, thus relieving pain not just in the back and neck area. It is a great way to start out when it comes to getting a massage because of its holistic nature all over the body.
If you are considering Swedish massage, then you definitely want to watch the video below to give you an idea of how this amazing technique can help you release muscle tension and get rid of the pain from high-stress.
Are you feeling the need to get a good massage now? Choose one that matches your preference and enjoy this moment to pamper yourself!
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