NECK TENSEN PART THREE

The SCM (STERNO/CLEIDO/MASTOID) muscle is the third and last muscle I want to talk about for neck tension. By grasping this muscle with your finger tips and gently massaging you can do a lot to help the neck let go of it's tension. Used in conjunction with the scalenes, and the traps I've seen headaches go away along with just really feeling better. You can do this release on yourself by crossing over to the opposite side of the neck as shown in the following pictures. Or on someone else sitting behind.
This muscle also can be very tender so go slow, but persistent. When you get the tension out it won't hurt nearly as much.
*ALSO THERE ARE A LOT OF VEINS AROUND THIS MUSCLE LIKE THE JUGULAR, SO USE CARE. YOU DON'T WANT ANYONE TO PASS OUT.



There are some medical conditions that should not be massaged, ie cancer, being one of the most obvious, if you have a medical condition Please check with your doctor to see if massage is a option for you.
ENERGY WORK ON THE OTHER HAND CAN BE USED WITH ANY CONDITION OR ILLNESS.

I will be addressing energy work in the near future, stay tuned....

There are some medical conditions that should not be massaged, ie cancer, being one of the most obvious, if you have a medical condition Please check with your doctor to see if massage is a option for you.
ENERGY WORK ON THE OTHER HAND CAN BE USED WITH ANY CONDITION OR ILLNESS.

I will be addressing energy work in the near future, stay tuned....

If you would like to know about a problem area you are having I'll try to help.

Keep it clean please.

NECK TENSEN PART TWO
Along with the scalene release is at the top of the shoulders, a lot of you will recognize the Trap  muscle. Find the muscle lying along the top ridge of the shoulder, then gently but firmly gripp it. Next you can do several massage techniques, kneading the muscle like you would dough. Shaking, or karate chopping is also effective one here.

REMEMBER THIS IS OFTEN A VERY TENDER AREA - SO BE GENTLE.

The two above mentioned techniques can be done from a massage table, the person massaging sitting at the head of the table with the person receiving the massage lying face up, or supine. Also if you are doing work on your own family or a friend it's a nice tradies while watching a movie. The one working the massage sitting on a couch or chair, with the one being worked on sitting on the floor (it helps to sit on a pillow:)  in front with back facing the person doing the massage.

Working on the two above areas, the trapezius and the scalenes quite often helps relieve stress and can aid in relaxing the tension in the neck and shoulders. I've also noticed that it can be a great go to for headaches.

Physical Healing  NECK TENSEN PART ONE 

Scalene Release 

One of my favorite methods of physical healing is of course Massage. Of course because as those of you who know me will understand - I'm a massage therapist.

Massage works for physical healing because tension in the body blocks normal flow of life sustaining fluids. A good demonstration of why this is so is to picture a garden hose with a kink in it. Water can't pass through the hose freely until the kink is removed. A knot in our muscles creates a similar effect. When we remove the tension in the muscles of the body - wala the body functions more freely.

Over the course of the next few weeks I will give a few techniques  of releasing the tension in key places on the body.

The first one I want to talk about is the Scalene muscle stretch. The scalene muscles are located at the bend of the neck. Where the Trapezius muscle meets the neck. (for a good picture of this google images "Scalene muscles in anatomy.")

Push down, or have someone else push down on the corner of your neck and shoulder, then stretch your neck forward and away from the side being pressed. move in as many directions as you can all the while holding the pressure as steady as you can. (it's ok to re-adjust the pressure point as needed.)

This technique is a wonderful release for the neck and shoulders.

* I will be posting a video demo on this and other techniques on Youtube in the near future.