Neck and Shoulder Care this Winter
People with neck and shoulder issues often have their pain return before their next yoga class or massage appointment. Travel, work, play and family life all make demands on the body. A dull ache can quickly turn into a burning pain especially while folding the washing, doing the garden, working on the computer or any of the other million things you do.
What can you do, this winter, when yoga classes are not happening in person and massages off the list, 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 or if you are in the garden. 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 naptime? Try lying-down yoga postures 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 use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.
Self-massage
Try it, you might be surprised how much it helps! It’s not complicated, just grab a tennis ball and get creative with your moves. Use the wall to lean against for pressure.
Choose the right pillow
You spend about a third of your time in bed, be sure it’s cosy for your neck. Side-sleepers have different needs than belly-sleepers. The right pillow at night can help you all day.
A few minutes of self-care every day, little changes, can make a huge difference in how you feel.
If you need a little more help, give a shout and I can help point you in the right direction with an online yoga class or one to one session.
Maybe you need another type of therapist? I can help there too as over the years I have gathered a network of wonderful therapists from all walks – Contact Me
