Myofascial release for "tech neck" (posterior neck pain/tension headache)
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- Got a massage client with posterior neck pain and headache? Want to help someone with posture-related pain? Here's my myofascial approach.
0:00 Introduction to tech neck symptoms
1:08 Why does neck pain develop?
3:06 Anatomical causes of neck pain and tension headache
4:10 Questions to ask massage clients
5:13 How to discuss posture concerns
6:10 Massage demonstration
6:45 Starting with face and scalp massage
7:28 Warmup of the shoulders and neck
10:34 "The Harvey Maneuver" (pec/neck myofascial release)
12:39 Arm traction and mobilization
13:05 Pectoralis pin and stretch
13:50 Specific trapezius myofascial release
17:24 Working directly with levator scapulae
20:37 Gentle myofascial release of sternocleidomastoid
24:59 Myofascial stretching for the anterior neck
27:49 A lovely cranial cradle to end the massage
30:08 A neck stretch to recommend to clients
Video about levator scapulae and neck cricks: • How to massage a "cric...
As you might notice, I don't spend much time pressing directly into the neck or the base of the skull. That's because I think of these areas as the innocent bystanders in this situation: The pecs are pulling powerfully, the anterior neck muscles are kept chronically short, and the posterior neck and skull are left to pay the price. If we can convince the nervous system to allow a few extra degrees of freedom and to reduce the intensity of that tug-of-war between front and back, then the entire region should feel more comfort and less sensitivity.
You'll notice that I spend a lot of time pressing and waiting here, which I think of as strict myofascial release. Realize that you can still get a lot done while gliding, or with deep friction, ischemic compression, or just about any other approach. This state of high tension in the upper torso is very susceptible to change! Just make sure to get their body moving, be thorough, and spend time with these areas rather than just rushing through at the end of a session. With some regular input from you as the massage therapist, some daily stretching and movement on their part, and maybe some changes to their workspace ergonomics, this is a situation that can move from crisis to comfort in a matter of weeks.
Let me know how you work with this area in the comments, and tell me what you'd like to see next!
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Cinematic (Sting) by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
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Have you heard that I wrote a book?! I don't know if I've mentioned it. I'm just shy, is all. If you'd like to read more about it and check out the first three chapters, head to massagesloth.com/book Thanks to everyone who has read. and big big thanks for every review on Amazon or Goodreads!
Also: Feels good to be back 😁 Thanks for sticking around.
Loved your book and recommended to the instructors at the massage school I attended to have it be required reading for students!!!
@@shonafox8225 Thanks so much, Shona!
Had to buy a second book; the first one is taking it’s time being passed around to fellow students! Thanks Ian, so much valuable information inside
Really enjoy your book Ian. It's informatively written with your calm, common-sense and humorous style. Will definitely keep re-reading it and I've recommended it to RMT colleagues.
@@andreasissons7766 what a lovely review, thank you Andrea! And I appreciate you spreading the word 🙌
I'm a massage therapist practicing 7 years now and I've been learning from your videos all the way since school. You have helped me throughout the years so immensely, so grateful! It has helped me remember to approach the body with curiosity, grace, understanding, and reverence. Amazing video bringing all your past techniques together and even some new ones! Your energy always makes me feel at home in my own style! Thank you a million!! 💞 And can't wait to read the 📖 !!
This is so nice to hear, Joelle 🤗😭
@@MassageSloth 💞💗💗💗💞🤗
I've been reading your book, and as it's been mentioned a lot, I'm not even a massage therapist. Massage is Weird is a great work for anyone who deals with chronic pain/tension/exhaustion, or body shame or anger, as it helps you understand how pain, and all of your systems are connected.
For example: I don't have a bad hip, I have a tender surgical site, tight muscles all around, and a freaked out piriformis nerve. All of those things are working to protect the hip, and they just need to be told that the danger is past and it's all ok. Learning these things has helped me give my body so much more grace.
So, anyone who has ever been mad or sad or disappointed with their body - read this. It will help you give your body grace.
Bravo Ian - and thank you. Massage is Weird is helping me enjoy living in me a little more.
This is simply lovely, thank you Katy!
I'm a newly qualified MT. Your channel is an absolute blessing. Can't thank you enough!!
You're the best, Ian 💛 As a random IT person, sometimes I play these videos in the background just to have a kind voice in my head. Yours is the kindest 🙏
The way you talk and massage got me melting 😂 this is what I’ve always searched for in a man
Ahh Ian, even after all these years you still manage to create consistently fresh and informative content.. thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us! Quack quack
Did anyone else know he was going to throw in a good ole fashioned 'quack quack' the moment he made a duck grip?
You are a very skilled, talented, caring practitioner and it was such a pleasure to watch you work ❤you’re like a bob ross of massage therapy 😊 I was so relaxed throughout your video 😌
The way you maneuver and massage your client is so relaxing and satisfying. How I wish I have that kind of massage. So gentle and caring hands and yet you can see pressure.
Well said Ian! Congrats on the book!👏 The neck can be so sensitive and riddled with trauma, and by addressing it first you can make the whole session easier for them to relax the nervous system. Keep up the good healing brotha!
Nice to see you back with an another amazing video 😊 I’m really learning a lot from you. Thank you 🙏
Thank you. You always come up with ways to keep things fresh. It’s awesome.
Thank you Ian, I’m happy to know I do most of your techniques for tech neck, many that you have taught on previous videos but there is also some new ones that I have learned! I tend to have a quick routine and your calmness has inspired me to slow down; especially for a 90 min. Massage. The importance of waiting on some holds is great for me allowing the muscles to release. I have to agree with others that say, you have been my initial CZcams instructor support and thank you for also referring us to Maria’s channel awhile back also. I am a big fan of yours thank you for your support as massage is my second career and I just turned 65yr. Old, graduated in 2017.
Beautiful work! I just posted tech neck on my page for my clients..describing that this is a true situation and encouraging them to reset and restore!! This is right on time.. and my daughter just purchased your book as a 🎁 for me I was so excited!! Can't wait to indulge!! I appreciate you sharing your gift🙏🏽
Synchronicity! Thanks Latoya 🤗
Thank you for this video. I am actually learning new technique from your videos. Thank you so much! Much love! Keep doing what you are doing. You have plenty of massage therapist students learning from your videos, I’m one of them.
This is interesting timing. I saw my neurologist recently, for pre-existing issues, but one of the things I mentioned was pain that develops at the right base of my skull during the day. The first thing she said was that she suspects that it’s musculoskeletal based on the fact that I work a daily desk job. I appreciate the video.
I found your video very helpful and I definitely improved my technique buy watching you . Thank you 🙏🏻
mY Favorite instructor and massage therapist ❤
I love your videos and work so much. Thank you for these videos ☀️
Excellent as always, Ian!
I still come back to your old scapula videos, and I'm happy you're still making videos 8 years later. Keep up the good work man.
Much appreciated!
You know what I just realized.
You are a heck of a narrator as well as the massage therapist.
thank you for sharing the knowledge and power behind it, really helpful in my practice!
I've been watching your videos since I was in school 3 years ago and have learned and progressed so much thanks to you, and this one is life changing! I see so much of this at work and I feel like this opened my eyes to a fresh new world of neck work. Thank you!
Awesome, Sophie! And if you'd like to talk through any of those client cases, join us on the forum (search "massage sloth clubhouse" on Facebook) and we can brainstorm together.
I would really appreciate a video working on Scoliosis.
Ooooh yes please!
Just purchased your book and am currently reading it 👍 Beginning is very positive and motivational for this newbie massage therapist!
this is so relevant and useful! thank you so much for making this!
Thank you very much voor all your videos. I learnd a lot from! God Bless You always😍🙏🏼
Lovely work Ian!
i cannot wait to try some of these in class monday. thank you! ❤
Thanks for your amazing videos! 😊
Beautiful! Thank you!
Excellent use of the word Constellation
Awesome video Ian!
Thank you so much for this demonstration and explanation. It was great for me and I will try it out tomorrow with one of my clients. I learn so much from your videos
Thanks Jutta!
Thank you, Ian! I haven’t done massage for years and your videos have me excited and inspired to get someone on my new table. Your videos are pure GOLD--comprehensible and brilliant with heart! I hope you are happy and well!💗🙏🏼🦥
thank you for sharing your knowledge sir
So so valuable Thank you
Vous avez une grande admiratrice en France! Merci et bravo pour le partage de votre savoir faire,être et de votre expérience 🙏💫🌸
Merci, Stéphanie!
This is amazing! I’m currently in massage therapy school, and have about 40 massages with clients (through the school) at this point and this is a technique I really want to add into my repertoire-especially on my 2-hr massage clients. 80-90% of my clients have ‘tech neck’!
I also bought your book, it just came in yesterday and I cannot wait to read it! My whole ass follows your channel! 😊
Thanks so much! Also, feel free to join us on the forum (search "massage sloth clubhouse" on Facebook) if you want a good support group as you finish up school. Cheers!
Oh yes this is great vid. Lucky lady . I need that 😊
Congratulations 🎉 Your my mentor now! ❤🙏🏻💜✨✨⭐️💙🌙🎉
I think you’re just amazing. You were an inspiration to me while I was in school and I continue to learn more from you after I read your book and I am taking my MBLEX on 12/5/22, and applying for my license immediately after.
Thanks so much, and congrats!!
It was suggested to me 15+ years ago to seek out a massage therapist because my upper trapezius muscles were [are] always like a rock. I feared the possibility of someone accidentally provoking more pain so I avoided massages. I've had lidocaine injections via my rheumatologist and Botox injections via my neurologist/migraine specialist. My migraines are primarily driven by changes in barometric pressure. But, my most brutal migraines are driven by (I'm not sure if spasms or cramping is the correct term) my upper trapezius muscles leading to tightening of my levator scapulae muscles. The nerves along the neck are pressed and the resulting migraine is unreal. Violent nausea, aura, and intense headache are a few of the symptoms. As I mentioned, I have seen a neurologist and the migraines have been diagnosed. As I write this, the levator scapulae muscles hurt desperately and I have a heating pad against them.
I wish I had listened to the friend of the family who discussed myofascial release and that I sought out a good practitioner. My only developed muscles are those 2 aforementioned groups, so much so that they give me the look of an Olympic swimmer. I believe the awful, nonstop tension in the upper trapezius muscles which lead to episodes of intense tightness in the levator scapulae muscles are also playing a significant role in my TMJ. My dentist taught me to be aware, to not grit my teeth but, when my pain is severe in the 2 groups of muscles and my damaged nerves (unrelated and not near my upper back), I unconsciously grit my teeth. I know that Botox is useful for TMJ but, I don't relish a fight with the insurance company. Getting to the root of problem, the part that can be made better, is what I need to do. Seeing this video is helping me overcome my fear of a practitioner possibly causing me more pain as he or she works on the affected groups of muscles. I think I'm a logical person yet, my fear of more pain prevented me from seeking out massage therapy and PT. If anyone sees this who has just started down this road, please see a great practitioner. You don't have to spend 20 years suffering. And thank you for making me brave enough to find someone in my area. It's well passed time to improve the quality of my life.
fantastic! thank you!
Great techniques I believe myofascial release is one of the best benefits from massage.
Your voice gives me Dr Gill's level of ASMR.
This is excellent! I'm hoping to convert some of my clients into 90 minute unwinding sessions. I love the slow work, I find that the client and I can get some very profound results with a bit more time. I'll try out some of your hand placements for the structures you addressed and see what happens; neck and shoulder treatments are my favourite ones to give by far!
I think that'd be great, Judy! I love 90 minute sessions, both for me and for my clients' benefit. Here's how you might offer this: "So, today I'd be interested in working more thoroughly with your neck, shoulders, and back. That'd mean only working from the hips up, but I think it will be useful for your [headache, shoulder pain, upper back pain, etc]. Is that something you'd like to try?" I very rarely work with the full body during a 60 minute session, all because I have that conversation beforehand. I also very rarely see clients for 60 minutes any more, because I'll follow up the session with this: "What did you think of that concentrated work on your upper body? Okay great! If you'd ever like to keep that focus but also work with the whole body, we could schedule you for a 90 minute session. Let me know if that's ever something you'd like to try." And then, as they rebook, I'll simply ask, "60 or 90 minutes?"
Oh, I also price my 90 minute session at a mere 30 bucks over the 60 minute price 😁 It makes it an easy choice, and I wind up with long, enjoyable sessions, fewer clients in any given day, and less laundry. It's a good thing.
@@MassageSloth that's very clever, I'll work it in...I like the "60 or 90" question, nice and simple.
MAN I do so enjoy these vids. Also did get your book - was very enjoyable... and.. I'm not even a Massage Therapist lol.
Oh Ian,how we have missed you! I have been enjoying your book. 🧡
Good to be back 😁
❤ like it. I learn a lot
You have a new subscriber! This was relaxing just watching it! I have a daughter who has dysautonomia that doesn’t appear to be caused by allergy and it could possibly be due to structural issues. Any tricks for vagal nerve stimulation? Thanks for these!
I need this in my life. My neck and shoulders hate me working hunched over so many hours a week. Ugh.
Could you write a book about your favorite pathologies and how to treat those
I really liked your 8 hour Megaman lore video
15:03 😮 I don’t know if I’d like that I think could be painful maybe the next week I’ll be in pain I guess I have to try it once.
When I glide from the pecs to the arm, I feel like I'm jamming into the corticoid process. I feel like I should avoid this. When I do it to myself, it hurts.
Ah! My tip here would be to angle your pressure out laterally, and broaden your contact. In other words, if you're using the heel of your hand rather than the entire broad surface of your hand, then you could easily wind up shipwrecked against the coracoid. If things are broad enough, you should sail right over.
👍👍👍
Hi Ian im intrested to learn how to do massage , im skinny guy , which type do you think is the best for me to learn . I have 0% experience. Do you think i should go to a school ?
What can an individual do at home for self care to combat these issues?
How often can this be done?
Good day, Ian. I'd like to sign up on Patreon but the link goes to a blank page on all tier levels. I've tried through the Patreon website, as well. Is there a something I'm missing?
Oh heck! The only thing I can think of is that it might be an ad-blocker or a cache issue? If there's an ad blocker, try disabling it on Patreon, or if things aren't loading on a desktop computer, try holding the control key while refreshing. If none of the above works, then I am out of ideas 😩
@@MassageSloth Thanks for responding. I've tried the laptop with much better results.
how do I find someone in my area that can do this kind of massage? (live in Birmingham, UK)
I'm not sure I understand how to avoid injury to the fingers while performing anterior neck techniques.
I include it in every session for sure, but avoid working too long with anterior neck techniques as I've noticed soreness in the hands without having as much support from my core while sitting.
I'm always bracing, always connecting parts of myself to the table or to other parts of myself. As I do that fascial pin and stretch of the levator scapulae, the hand that compresses the superior angle of the scapula gets to mostly chill out as that forearm lies on the table. The other hand that drifts up levator has a similarly cushy life, as that wrist rests on the wrist below it. The only muscular effort involved is in maintaining those soft spear hand shapes, but maintaining a shape is muuuch easier than doing something dynamic with your hand as you do hard work.
Same with the SCM work: I rest my forearm on the table, scoop the lateral SCM, then compress the medial side toward my finger. From there, I simply maintain that shape without too much pressure, my working arm resting on the table, and my right hand just making a gentle contact with the scalp to let the client know that they don't need any neck tension.
Basically: If a part is in danger of becoming fatigued, find ways to be lazy. If you've done your best to brace yourself against the table and you still find your hands hurting from anterior neck work, chuck out your current strategy and try something broader or otherwise easier. I don't think a lot of pinpoint work or stripping is necessary on the anterior neck, so feel free to work gently and lazily. If you'd like to troubleshoot a particular move, describe it to me (or upload a video!) and I'll see if I can help.
@@MassageSloth thanks so much for your help! 🙏
Thank you for sharing. My question is I am not a therapist but would like to know how to you massage yourself at home or at work? Also, I’m looking for a good massage therapist that can help me in this field? How would I begin to look for a Qualified therapist?
For self-massage, I do enjoy a good foam rolling session: czcams.com/video/-Y86TCXKS9w/video.html (just be gentle, especially as you start out!). As for finding a qualified therapist, I'd look for someone who explicitly states that they don't have a "no pain, no gain" mindset, and if possible, someone who shows their work. I don't really go for massage unless I can see them in motion beforehand! You might also look into Thai massage or ashiatsu, which are both excellent ways of finding massage therapists who offer confident contact using their body weight. Good luck!
What’s the name of the book so i can buy it
Aren't the pects a sensitive area that require extra consent?
Nail techs and estheticians!
Too many massage therapists are rough, too quick in their hand movements, or dig in too much with their thumbs… I’ve yet to find a good one that puts enough pressure without digging in.
How DO WE FIND A DOCTOR LIKE YOU??? I’m dying
Are you better
I’m a massage therapist to try to fix my own neck lol no really thinking a body mechanics but yeah looking down too much Buffalo hump!! 😢
Sah erstmal nach Gerichtsmedizin aus😂😂🎉🎉
Türkçe dil eklermisiniz
tell your clients to use a stand up desk on a yoga ball and throw their cell phone in a trash can
This is exactly what I don't want us to do. I don't want us to be rigid about the "right" way for clients to use their own body, because there are tons of right ways, and "body orthodoxy" can be an easy path to self-stigma. Instead, I'd like us to be advocates and cheerleaders for variety, experimentation, and self-directed kindness.
I love the "Harvey Maneuver," but sadly it doesn't work quite the same for a fat chick with short arms. :)
Hmm! Yes, my lankiness is an asset here. I'd be interested in troubleshooting this with you though. I teach this in person to people with all sorts of arms and bodies, and we eventually get it worked out. Basically, shoot me a message on some platform, maybe even send me a video of you in action, and we'll figure something out. If it's not this particular hand/arm configuration, there's more than one way to get this done I reckon.
There’s no better answer to this👏🏻
Muito bom parabéns ❤