Stop, drop the shoulders and pause, breathing out slowly. Relax under your lower ribcage while you do this. This helps to enhance calm nose diaphragm breathing, essential for neck relaxation and conserving energy.
Tank of energy. Just like a diver who breathes gently and slowly under water to conserve air in their tank, slow calm nose-diaphragm breathing conserve YOUR energy. Great news when you feel tired already and the pain and tension is starting to build in your neck and shoulders!!
Jaw relaxation is crucial for reducing neck tension and headaches. Place your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth behind your front teeth keeping your jaw slightly ajar but your lips gently closed.
Overactive neck muscles. Place your fingers where your jaw and earlobes meet. Switch off these front throat muscles by gently nodding your head gently. This is the best kept secret for necks!
Use your eyes, rather than moving your neck. Try this out sitting in your car, glancing over to the rear vision mirror and then straight ahead without moving your neck.
Walk backwards keeping your eyes fixed directly in front of you. This provides your neck muscles with the stimulation of gravity and makes you aware of the back of your neck. Great for enhancing balance and joint position sense.
“poking head syndrome”. Stand with your back against a wall as if you were being measured for your height. If your head tips backwards, you’re getting the syndrome!
Pillowtalk. Relax your neck so that it sinks wonderfully into the pillow. The best position is when one eye and the part of your face closest to the bed is partly obscured by the pillow. Our nostrils naturally block and unblock as we sleep which is why we turn over about 4 times in the night.
The strapless balldress pose. Imagine you are standing with an open relaxed collarbone area with your shoulders and arms relaxed.Swimming. To strengthen your neck, try freestyle or backstroke swimming. This works the little neck muscles responsible for maintaining stability but doesn’t strain anything. Great for learning how to exhale too!
Swimming. To strengthen your neck, try freestyle or backstroke swimming. This works the little neck muscles responsible for maintaining stability but doesn't strain anything. Great for learning how to exhale too!
Walking. Remember to walk heel-toe as this promotes the correct shock absorption to be taken through the heel and ankle joint rather than through the knees. It also strengthens your thigh and buttock muscles which doesn’t happen if you move too fast and walk on the flat of your foot.
Discover more about how to Move Well HERE>>>>>
