Blog Layout

How to Relieve Tension in Your Neck

January 19, 2023

Most of us will experience neck tension at some point during our lives. This can be for any number of reasons, but the discomfort it causes can often disrupt your daily activities.


At Therapy and Fitness Centre, we often see long term tension caused by poor habits, stress and chronic injuries that can be relieved from the comfort of your own home. So we’ve put together a guide on how you can ease, prevent and eliminate long-term neck tension before it progresses.

What causes neck tension?

Tension can be caused by a number of reasons but the main reasons you may be experiencing tightness in your neck are:


  • Poor posture
  • Stress
  • Injury or strain
  • The process of ageing

How to relieve neck tension

Adjust your posture


Poor posture caused by sitting at a desk, hunching your shoulders or ‘text neck’ are the main causes of neck tension.


How to improve posture when sitting:


Keep your monitor at eye level

Invest in an ergonomic office chair with adjustable back, arm and lumbar support

Use a standing desk

Sit on your sitting bones and avoid leaning forward

Adjust the format of your screen so you don’t have to slouch to read it

Take movement breaks every hour


How to improve posture when standing:


  • Keep your shoulders and neck relaxed
  • Stand with your feet hip width apart
  • Tuck in your abdomen
  • Balance your weight evenly
  • Hold your head in a neutral position
  • Relax your knees


For more information, visit our guide: How to Improve Posture.


Apply heat


Heat therapy dilutes the blood vessels in your neck, which increases oxygenation to the area. This can loosen your muscles.


Heat can be applied using:


  • A hot shower or bath
  • Use of a heat pack, gel or heat wrap
  • Warm damp cloth
  • Heating pad
  • A hot water bottle
  • Hot Stone Massage


At Therapy and Fitness Centre, our Hot Stone Massage Therapy Treatment is designed to deeply relax muscles and soothe tension through a combination of massage techniques and heat therapy. A treatment tailored to you, just one stroke from Basalt stones can undo days worth of tightness.


Neck Stretches

Neck Stretches

Chin Tuck


  1. Sit in a chair with your back straight
  2. Make sure you actively draw your shoulder blades together to keep the posture throughout the stretch
  3. Slowly drop your chin to your chest
  4. Gently twist your head towards one shoulder
  5. Pause for a few deep breaths
  6. Repeat on the other side
  7. Complete this movement 10 times


Nose Circles


  1. Sit in a chair with your back straight and elongate your neck
  2. Make sure you actively draw your shoulder blades together to keep the posture throughout the stretch
  3. Tilt your head towards the ceiling as far as is comfortable
  4. Pretend you are drawing a giant circle with your nose, stretching your neck gently as you form an arc towards one shoulder, down to your chest and then up to your other shoulder
  5. Repeat this movement 10 times
  6. Alternate the direction and repeat 10 times going the other way


Ear to Shoulder


  1. Sit in a chair with your back straight and elongate your neck
  2. Make sure you actively draw your shoulder blades together to keep the posture throughout the stretch
  3. Tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear to your shoulder
  4. If you need a deeper stretch, gently rest one hand on your upper ear. Be careful not to apply any pressure
  5. Pause in this position for a few deep breaths
  6. Repeat on the other side

Yoga


Yoga is designed to make you think more consciously about your body whilst relieving any stress or tension you are feeling.


These exercises will help you stretch the muscles in your neck and upper shoulders to create space and help oxygen flow more freely to the areas.


Seated Cat Cows


  1. Sit cross legged on the floor with your back straight
  2. Place your hands on your knees
  3. Inhale as you push your chest forwards, actively drawing your shoulder blades together
  4. Then as you exhale, round your body backwards so your shoulders are hunched and your neck bends forwards
  5. Repeat this cycle of movement up to 10 times
Seated Cat Cows

Seated Twist


  1. Sit cross legged on the floor with your back straight
  2. Position the outside of your left hand to the outside of your right knee
  3. Place your right hand on the floor behind your back
  4. Gently twist your body to the right, keeping your head straight
  5. Try to relax your body further into the stretch every time you exhale
  6. Remain in this position for 5 breaths
  7. Repeat on the other side
Seated Twist

xEagle Arms


  1. Sit cross legged on the floor with your back straight
  2. Extend your arms wide to the side of your body
  3. Bring them back to centre, positioning your left arm beneath your right arm
  4. Twist your left arm around your right arm until the fingertips press into your right palm
  5. If your shoulders feel too tight, you can place your hands on your shoulders so that your left arm presses against your chest and your right elbow rests over your left elbow
  6. From here, raise your arms in the air slightly and then lower them down. You should feel a stretch across the bottom of your shoulders
  7. Hold this position for 5 breaths
  8. If your arms are in the eagle shape, raise them back up to shoulder height and bend your chin towards your chest
  9. Hold this position for 5 breaths
  10. Release slowly and repeat the movements alternately
Eagle Arms

Child’s Pose


  1. Position yourself on your knees
  2. Walk your hands forward until your chest and forehead press into the ground
  3. Relax your arms over your head
  4. Hold this position for 10 breaths
  5. If you’d like a deeper stretch, tilt your head so that your chin is placed to the ground
Child’s Pose

For guided practice through these exercises, try Yoga with Adriene’s Yoga for Neck Tension videos on Youtube that incorporates variations of neck relief exercises for all ability levels.


Visit a professional


If your neck pain isn’t improving, then you may need to visit a chiropractor, GP or professional therapist to prescribe the best treatment for your tension.


At Therapy and Fitness Centre, we specialise in massage therapy. It is our mission to remove tension from your body, whether it is caused by stress, poor posture or a recent or chronic injury. Our treatments include a wide range of physical therapy options including Hot Stone Massage, Acupuncture and Sports Massage to relieve your neck tension.


Simply contact us today to book your appointment at our therapy centre in Leamington Spa.


Sign up to our newsletter to receive a £5 voucher towards the cost of your first treatment.


01926 833003 | info@therapyandfitnesscentre.co.uk

By Lisa Moore June 13, 2024
The second time in a row Lisa has been announced as a finalist in the Ladies First Health and Wellbeing category at this years awards ceremony which will be held at the Dallas Burston Polo Club on Thursday 13th June. Last year Lisa won the award which was held at Coombe Abbey Hotel. Will Lisa hold the title for the second year?
By Lisa Moore June 13, 2024
Join us every 3rd Tuesday of the month for Bev and her Heart Meditation Drumming Circle from 7pm for beginners and 8.15pm for those who have attended at least twice before. Become more connected with your heart and practice the ancient art of heart beat meditation. Unlocking lower stress levels, conscious breathing and a better nights sleep along with an art of drumming. The heart holds the key to unlocking your true potential.  Daf drums, (Frame drums) provided. Join us as we focus on the heart for a £5 - £10 donation to cover expenses and any additional goes to charity. To book your place click HERE .
By Lisa Moore February 11, 2024
Our last Mind, Body & Soul event was such a success its back!
By Lisa Moore November 1, 2023
Connect mind and body through breath, movement and sweat.
By Lisa Moore September 28, 2023
Chiropodist or a Foot Health Practitioner: What is the difference?
Injury Prevention Techniques
March 30, 2023
Therapy and Fitness Centre have outlined in this guide, you will avoid causing long-term, career ending injuries such as strains, torn ligaments and muscles.
September 28, 2022
Whether you’re struggling with the symptoms of everyday stress, or are experiencing a big change in your life that is activating feelings of anxiety, it can have an adverse affect on your emotional and physical wellbeing. When your mind is in turmoil, it can be difficult to figure out how to diffuse the feelings of stress, so why not try taking the focus off the things you can’t control, and instead concentrate on the things you can. At Leamington Therapy and Fitness Centre , we’ve put together this list of our top 8 stress relievers to help you relax.
September 6, 2022
Where is fascia located in the body? Fascia is a sheath of stringy connective tissue that surrounds every part of your body. It provides support to your muscles, tendons, ligaments, tissues, organs, nerves, joints and bones. Does massage help fascia? Massage therapists can help with a technique called Myofascial Release that uses sustained pressure to loosen and lengthen constricted fascia. Cupping therapy is another technique that stretches and lengthen fascia with the use of vacuum cups. What does fascia massage do? Fascial release therapies are known to increase tissue flexibility and joint mobility. Massage therapists can help with a technique called Myofascial Release that uses sustained pressure to loosen and lengthen constricted fascia. How is myofascial release performed? Using light, manual pressure, your therapist will massage and stretch the trigger point, sometimes holding that point for a few minutes. Your therapist may repeat this process a few times on each trigger point they find, until they feel a full release. What can I expect from myofascial release? Myofascial release can be an intense experience. During a session, a massage therapist will massage, knead and gently stretch the muscles and fascia to work out knots. This bodywork technique also involves applying pressure to the tight or sore areas to get them to relax. What should I expect after a myofascial massage? You may feel tired or relaxed after your myofascial massage, however, most people experience an immediate feeling of relief. Aches and pains are common for for around 24 hours after your treatment as the body flushes the toxins that have been released out. What are the benefits of myofascial release? Myofascial release offers a host of benefits to your health and well-being, including: Reduces soreness and improves tissue recovery. Improves neuromuscular efficiency. Increases blood flow. Maintains normal functional muscular length. Improves joint range of motion. Decreases overall effects of stress on the body. What is the difference between myofascial release and massage? First of all, they each have a different focus. Massage works with soft tissue and the overall system of muscles in the body to relieve stress and tension. Myofascial release works specifically with the connective tissue (fascia) to relieve the tightness that causes muscle restrictions. What does myofascial massage feel like? During a massage treatment, when we stretch this tight tissue you could feel a burning sensation. This is a myofascial release sensation and is generally short lived and quite normal, but not felt by everyone. What happens when fascia is tight? Healthy fascia is smooth and flexible. However, when the body undergoes physical trauma, such as muscle injuries or surgery, the fascia is placed under stress and tightens up, causing muscle pain. What causes fascia pain? Factors that cause fascia to become gummy and crinkle up (called adhesion) include: A lifestyle of limited physical activity (too little movement day after day) Repetitive movement that overworks one part of the body. Trauma such as surgery or injury. What can damage fascia? Accidents, abnormal posture, repetitive movements, overextension injuries, or inactivity can all lead to fascial damage. What does damaged fascia feel like? However, when the fascia is damaged through injury, overuse, or dehydration it often has a domino effect, causing a series of painful symptoms to appear over time. You may experience stiffness, reduced range of motion, and increasing chronic pain. How long does it take for fascia to heal? Most injury to fascia heals within a six to eight weeks period. Occasionally chronic inflammation and pain affect fascia. This may cause problems such as painful movement or fibromyalgia. What makes myofascial pain worse? Myofascial pain may worsen if it is left untreated for a prolonged period of time. Additionally, you may also feel more pain if the trigger point or affected muscle is strained or stretched. What happens if myofascial pain syndrome is left untreated? Untreated, the myofascial pain syndrome leads to a reduced extensibility of the involved muscle with consecutive decrease of the range of motion and development of a muscular imbalance resulting in a disturbance of complex movement and evolution of a chronic pain disease. Should you exercise after myofascial release? Many therapists recommend clients avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours after a bodywork session. Exercising after a session can both increase muscle soreness and compromise the value of the soft-tissue work you've just received. What happens to fascia as we age? As you age, your body produces less and less collagen. This has a dramatic effect on the fascia throughout your body. With less collagen, the fascia starts to dry out and tighten. It becomes restrictive, making it more difficult for the body to move efficiently. Can tight fascia cause nerve pain? As fascia stiffens through adhesion, fascia—rich in nerve endings in and of itself—can entrap surrounding nerves, leading to radiculopathy and a host of painful consequences. Who should avoid myofascial release? Contraindications for MFR include – but are not limited to – those with malignancy, aneurysm, acute rheumatoid arthritis, advanced diabetes, severe osteoporosis, and healing fractures. Your physical therapist can help determine whether or not MFR is an appropriate course of treatment for you. Can you do myofascial release on yourself? SMFR methods do not require the assistance of a physical therapist or fitness professional but can be performed by the individual itself and are considered an effective rehabilitation tool. Can you overdo foam rolling? When it comes to foam rolling, yes, you can overdo it. Excessively using a foam roller on a specific area can increase injuries and leave you in more pain. Instead, limit foam rolling to 30 to 90 seconds per muscle group and include 10 seconds stretching in between each roll.
How to Improve Posture
August 5, 2022
The most common cause for bad posture is a slouched seating position. With most of us working at a desk all day, it can be difficult to mindfully correct posture, and it may feel uncomfortable at first.
July 28, 2022
Come and try our new Yoga Classes in August
More Posts
Share by: