Have you ever groaned in pain because of an aching neck? You are not alone. Neck pain will affect about 22% to 70% of people in their lifetime, studies show. If you use a desk that is not the right height or carries a heavy handbag on your shoulder, you are at risk of suffering from neck pain. People who suffer from sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, or live a sedentary lifestyle also face additional risks.
To alleviate neck pain, most people exercise, attend physiotherapy, wear neck braces, or simply rest. A patient named Annie recently came to see me after suffering from neck pain for almost a year. Annie is a 50-year old entrepreneur who spends most of her time online. When Annie came to see me, she mentioned having constant neck pain and a decreased range of motion on her neck. I asked if she also has back pain and she said yes, she has tight hip flexors. As a massage therapist, I hear many people saying that they have had neck pain for years and decades and that it never really goes away.
It’s always there…like a good friend. Also as the stop the pain specialist I like to help people get to the root source of their pain and release it. I don’t really like the word pain management. Not really sure when it was decided that we should manage our pain instead of getting rid of it. This is because neck pain emanates from the psoas, which is a large muscle that connects the upper torso with the bottom part of the legs.
The muscle connects through the vertebrae and goes through the pelvis to the inside of the femur bone. It is responsible for daily activities like walking, sitting, running and dancing etc.
Psoas is also known as the muscle of the soul. It holds trauma at a cellular level. Since the psoas muscle is attached to other muscles, it can cause many painful conditions including: –
- Low back pain
- Hip pain
- Sciatic pain
- Shoulder pain
- TMJ discomfort
- Neck pain
- Knee pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Digestive issues
- Constipation
- And so much more
That’s why it is important to understand the source of the pain and get the right massage. Psoas massage is one of the best massages for any of the conditions mentioned above. Most clients have 80% pain relief when they get up from the massage table after Psoas massage. Most of my clients get long-term pain relief after three Psoas massages. You do not have to suffer from neck pain. I would like to encourage you to see me if you are having severe pain or mild neck stiffness.
