Almost everyone has experienced back pain or neck pain at least once in their lifetime. Stress, over-working a muscle and sometimes just a weird sleeping position can all create knots and pain in your back and neck. You may be wondering how you can get rid of these uncomfortable knots, and how do you prevent them in the first place?
First, let’s tackle some of the common causes of shoulder and neck pain. Most people carry their stress the area of the body known as the Trapezius muscle. This muscle group is highly susceptible to knots. Poor posture is also a common cause of back pain and with the amount of time we spend looking down at our phones, or hunched over a computer, it’s a growing problem. Knots can form in your muscles from this kind of improper use, stress, or injury. This happens when your muscles get locked and become immobile, sometimes becoming inflamed to a point that you can feel a hard “knot” under your skin.
But what can you do you help with all of this pain? A great start would be to get a massage. Swedish and Deep Tissue techniques are designed to help alleviate muscle pain and knots. If that didn’t fully do the trick, you can follow that up with some simple stretching that focuses on your neck, shoulders and back.
Chiropractic care is also a great form of alternative medicine to help with back pain and muscle knots. Chiropractic helps loosen stiff joints, increase blood flow, and improve range of motion. Millions of people use chiropractic care to get rid of back pain.
The best way to help with knots is to do your best to prevent them in the first place. Stretching for five to ten minutes in the morning, and again at night, is great for keeping your muscles limber and healthy. Another great tip is to be aware of your posture, especially if you are working on the computer. If you notice you are slouching or craning your neck, take a moment and readjust. Sit up straight with your head above your shoulders, and roll your shoulders back. Also, become aware of your sleeping position. If you are sleeping on your stomach and have a lot of neck pain, try sleeping on your back or your side to help keep your spine in alignment.