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How do you massage a stiff neck?

Will Fuller
Certified Massage Therapist
Will Fuller is a Certified Massage Therapist and Wellness Educator working in San Francisco, California. Will has worked with the Sports and Recreation Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), taught sports in England, Kenya, and Kuwait, and is now affiliated with the Chiro-Medical Group. He was trained in physical rehabilitation under a program founded by Dr. Meir Schneider. He has a Bachelors in Sport Science and a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in Physical Education from Southampton University.

Will Fuller

Certified Massage Therapist

Expert Answer

Set aside 5-10 minutes each day to massage your neck. Bring your chin toward your chest, and place 2 or 3 fingers on the back of your neck. Press down where you feel pain or tension and slowly roll your fingers over the area.

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Question

How long does a stiff neck last?

Will Fuller
Certified Massage Therapist
Will Fuller is a Certified Massage Therapist and Wellness Educator working in San Francisco, California. Will has worked with the Sports and Recreation Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), taught sports in England, Kenya, and Kuwait, and is now affiliated with the Chiro-Medical Group. He was trained in physical rehabilitation under a program founded by Dr. Meir Schneider. He has a Bachelors in Sport Science and a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in Physical Education from Southampton University.

Will Fuller

Certified Massage Therapist

Expert Answer

It totally depends on what's causing the stiff neck in the first place. You really don't want to mess around with neck pain, so go see a doctor if it doesn't go away soon!

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Question

Can a chiropractor help with a sore neck?

Will Fuller
Certified Massage Therapist
Will Fuller is a Certified Massage Therapist and Wellness Educator working in San Francisco, California. Will has worked with the Sports and Recreation Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), taught sports in England, Kenya, and Kuwait, and is now affiliated with the Chiro-Medical Group. He was trained in physical rehabilitation under a program founded by Dr. Meir Schneider. He has a Bachelors in Sport Science and a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in Physical Education from Southampton University.

Will Fuller

Certified Massage Therapist

Expert Answer

Yes. A chiropractor will be able to get in there and take a look at whatever is causing the issue. If it's something like compression in the cervical spine, a chiropractor may be able to relieve that compression.

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Question

Why do I get a sore neck so often?

Will Fuller
Certified Massage Therapist
Will Fuller is a Certified Massage Therapist and Wellness Educator working in San Francisco, California. Will has worked with the Sports and Recreation Center at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), taught sports in England, Kenya, and Kuwait, and is now affiliated with the Chiro-Medical Group. He was trained in physical rehabilitation under a program founded by Dr. Meir Schneider. He has a Bachelors in Sport Science and a Post-Graduate Certificate of Education in Physical Education from Southampton University.

Will Fuller

Certified Massage Therapist

Expert Answer

If I had to venture a totally random guess, it may have something to do with the way you're sitting. A lot of people spend years sitting at a desk for work and they end up in the same posture for years. That can lead to a lot of biomechanical misuse and overuse.

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Question

Will a hot or warm bath help with my stiff neck?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Yes, warmth helps to relax tensed up muscles. Taking a hot or warm bath can help to do just that. Also, try applying warm compresses with a washcloth over your neck as you are taking a bath and gently massage your neck.

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Question

What if the neck pain only hurts severely at night?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

You may want to try taking a warm bath or shower or applying a heating pad and self-massaging your neck to relax tense muscles. You may want to ask your doctor about taking a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen before going to bed. Practice good neck and back positioning when you sleep. Make sure that your neck and lower back are in neutral alignment meaning not too extended or too flexed.

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