.png)
Neck pain is quite a common injury we see here at Burwood Osteo & Rehab. Adding in the wild ride of 2020 with working from home, home schooling and extra stress placed upon us this year, our neck and back are the ones really suffering.
Neck pain can lead to headaches and migraines as well. Osteopathy works to help release the tight muscles around the head, neck and shoulders, and provide mobility to the spine and upper body to help alleviate the “pressure” off the head and neck.
To put this into perspective...Our head weighs about 5kg. When we sit, gravity as well adds compression to our bodies. Thinking about our everyday lives - we tilt our head forward to look at the computer, the phone, cooking, cleaning, or playing with our kids. Multiply this “looking down” posture by 8-10 hours of work a day + household tasks, that’s a lot of effort for the neck!
But remember, our spine is STRONG! But when we injure it, the muscles and ligaments surrounding the neck have to work double time, which is why it feels so stiff and sore.
Stretching the upper back and neck can help to reduce these symptoms. A simple one is “cat and cow” from yoga. We can do this seated, or on the ground.
On the ground - arching our back into a “Hunched ball”, and then inverting this to lift from the chest into a stretch with the bottom sticking out.
At the desk - hands on your knees, hunching into a ball, then lifting from your chest and extending your back “backwards”
Repeat these for 10 repetitions.
Another good one is adding in some mobility, by rolling the shoulders backwards x10. You can add the arms into this and its like “backstroke” swimming with both arms, and add a little squeeze behind the shoulder blades as you roll.
With all of these stretches, we want to be pain free!
If you are experiencing pain, stiffness and aching necks, book in with our Burwood Osteopaths, we see these problems frequently and can advise the best methods for you.
Comments