My Own Neck Pain And How It’s Related To Mood
My own story with neck pain begins before I can even remember. Since high school, at least over 30 years ago I have had pain in my neck and upper back. Sometimes its faint, and sometimes its intense, but its really always there to some degree. I think there may be many others out there who have neck pain almost all of the time like I do. Sometimes it affects the way I act around other people, like my family. Sometimes I have a short fuse that is due to being tense and in pain, and I feel bad about it. Its good to have some tools I can turn to to help me feel better.
Best Portable: Mighty Bliss Deep Tissue And Back Massager
More than 9,000 shoppers gave this completely cordless massager a five-star rating for providing the perfect deep tissue massage. It uses powerful percussion movement to pulse up to 3,700 times per minute, so you can relieve knotted muscles and painful spasms. Each massager arrives with six interchangeable heads, which can be used to target different body parts, and can run for up to 120 minutes off a single charge. The ergonomic design is also super lightweight, so giving your back a little relief wont require an arm strengthening session, too.
Available at , $60
Massage For Pinched Nerves In The Neck
Pinched nerves are typically caused by pressure placed on the nerve by joints, muscles, or other structures. Muscle tension and inflammation may be the cause of this pressure. Nerve impingement in either the brachial plexus located in the shoulder or disc herniation in the cervical spine can both lead to nerve pain in both the neck and shoulder.
Massage therapy can be a great choice for relieving that inflammation, and thus reducing nerve pain and pressure
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Jamgym Muscle Massage Gun
This massage device is suitable for the neck, shoulder, and back. It has an LCD touchscreen and 30 adjustable speed levels.
The JamGym Muscle Massage Gun has 10 attachments, and according to the company, it is quiet while in use. It also features a rechargeable battery that holds up to 6 hours of charge.
Pros and cons
Some of the pros of this device include:
- the ability to penetrate into the deep tissue
- several adapters to target different body areas
- a rechargeable battery
However, reviewers state this massage gun is heavy and can be very loud. They also point out the attachments may fall off.
The device comes with a 1-year warranty.
Best Back Massager: Pick Between An Electric Handheld Vibrating And A Shiatsu Massage Devices
What is the best back massager? It is important that the device allows you to relax and is convenient to use, otherwise, there would be no point in massage. Shiatsu techniques deliver relaxing deep tissue massage. It should have a universal application so that you could use the massager with various types of armchairs and chairs. And a good model is the one that is multifunctional, adjustable and has several settings. We believe that Comfier Neck and Back Massager with Heat fits these criteria best.
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Best Heated: Snailax Massage Heat Cushion
If youre seeking a less intense massage, this heated chair cushion with almost 2,300 positive reviews should be your first choice. Instead of kneading the body, it uses six motors to gently vibrate and give your whole back, hips, and thighs instant relief. Not only is the cushion itself ultra-plush for maximum comfort, but it also features heating pads with built-in heat protection.
Available at , $50
A Serious Massage Tool
The Thera Cane Massagercomposed of six knobs of different sizes protruding from a curved basebears some resemblance to a Calder mobile and may be just as genius. The long self-massage tool makes it easier for you to access hard-to-reach spots, such as between your shoulder blades, while maintaining a neutral spine. You can also angle the Thera Cane to reach points in your neck, or use it for potentially extra-tight areas like your hips. This tool can be intense: Borowski recommended using it for just about a minute per area to avoid additional soreness.
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Kaiming Meiya Massage Pillow
The Kaiming Meiya Massage Pillow has a hot cervical neck traction device. The company states it is suitable for the neck, shoulders, and back.
The pillow has two deep-kneading shiatsu massage heads. It also comes with a heat function, a protection against overheating, and an automatic shut-off feature.
Moreover, the massage pillow contains vegan leather and a skin-friendly mesh material.
Pros and cons
Some pros of the Kaiming Meiya Massage Pillow include:
- wear-resistant mesh material
- independent massage functions
However, some reviewers state that the pillows rotating massager can be painful.
Additionally, some review authors say this pillow may not be suitable for people who have a smaller body frame, as the device does not line up to the shoulders correctly.
Expert Opinion: Professor Mark Johnson Phd Leeds Beckett University
Professor Mark Johnson Ph.D., Leeds Beckett University
is a Professor of Pain and Analgesia at Leeds Beckett University. He heads the Centre for Pain Research in the university’s School of Clinical and Applied Sciences. Mark received training in neurophysiology at the University of Leeds and obtained his Ph.D. in Pain Science from the University of Newcastle. His areas of interest include TENS, laser therapy, acupuncture, and drug medication as pain-relieving treatments.
TENS is predominantly used to treat painful conditions, but it does not cure the condition. It tends to be used for relieving the symptoms of pain. And it is used for a wide range of conditions from acute pain for example, post-surgical pain, pain during childbirth right the way through to chronic persistent pain. For example, musculoskeletal pains like back pain and osteoarthritis pain. and what we call neuropathic pain. The research that we have done over the past 25 years suggests that the critical parameter is the intensity of TENS. And the other parameters like the speed of pulses or the patterns of pulses do not have a major influence as such. We advise our patients that when they apply TENS, as long as the strong current is comfortable, they can change the other settings and adjust them according to what they find most pleasant for them at that moment in time.
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What Does A Back Neck And Shoulder Massage Do
Generally, this type of massage treatment allows muscle recovery, reduces stress, promotes the circulation of the areas worked on, helps to manage pains and aches and promotes muscle relaxation. However, benefits of this treatment are not limited to just that. There are a number of injuries and conditions which can be improved by having the neck, shoulder and back massaged, such as:
- Whiplash which usually is induced by road traffic accident
- Upper cross syndrome which refers to muscle changes due to poor posture
- Muscle spasm
- Postural imbalances such as scoliosis or Sheuermanns disease
- Natural age related changes such as spondylosis and lower back pain with or without sciatica
It may also help to recover after acute injuries such as muscle strains. It does not mean that treatment will cure you, because some of the conditions can be congenital, however, it will help you to manage symptoms associated with it.
If its caused by whiplash, then calling on a professional such as the las vegas car accident lawyer is ideal in helping you acquire the compensation to finance the medial bills.
Comfier Heating Pad For Back Pain Heat Belly Wrap Belt With Vibration Massage
- NOTE: It is corded vibrating massager only, NOT a cordless or shiatsu massager with roller balls.
- Vibration Massage -The back massager is built in 4 powerful massage motors to deliver soothing vibrating massage.
- Customizable massage This back pain relief wrap has 3 massage modes, 2 adjustable intensity of vibration and 2 levels of heating.
- Flexible to fit all This heating wrap is flexible, with an adjustable strap to extend to up 62 inches to fit all sizes.
- Soft & Cozy velvet cover The cover material of this lumbar support belt is made of ultra cozy velvet cloth,incomparably soft polyester that offers a comforatble and great feeling for body touch.
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How Often Should You Get A Massage For Shoulder Pain
This depends on your particular problem. If you are already having pain, this means that not only your muscles, tendon could be affected but the range of movement of your joints and fascia can be compromised too. Restoring damage tissue takes time. Most practitioners recommend having one treatment per week for the first two weeks, then as your shoulder pain improves the sessions can be spread until you feel pain free.
Take a look at the range of treatments we offer for back and neck pain. We offer Massage, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture and Sports Therapy.
Best Splurge: Comfier Shiatsu Back And Neck Massager
This back and neck massager from Comfier will turn any chair in your home into a top-of-the-line massage chair. The heated cushion boasts eight massage nodes that move up and down along the spine and knead out any knots or tight muscles in your neck and back. It also gives your waist and hips a compression massage, thanks to the side airbags that inflate to help relieve tension. It’s definitely the priciest option on the list, but it does come with a 30-day warranty so you can get your money back if you aren’t fully satisfied. One happy customer wrote, “Let me start by saying, this device is awesome at its price point. The air support for the buttocks and lower back relieves your muscles allowing the vibrations to loosen you up. The rollers are strong and sturdy giving you a real massage from your lower to upper back. The neck rollers are what I love the mostâreally helps to relieve tension and tight muscles after driving or doing anything that forces you to sit for a long period of time. The neck rollers go up far enough to the base of your skull where you’ll really begin to feel relief.”
To buy: Comfier Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager, $200
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Best For Headaches: Coolife Neck Massager
If the tight muscles and knots in your neck are giving you migraines and headaches, Amazon shoppers recommend this manual Coolife massager. The lightweight device boasts two silicone balls that target your neck’s trigger points to release tension and improve circulation. In addition to being affordable and portable, shoppers say the handheld device is super easy to use. One five-star reviewer wrote, “The neck massager works pretty good. I like that I can control the amount of pressure used and that I can use it on myself. For the most part, it is easy to use and self-explanatory. It can be difficult to use if you also have knots in your shoulders. It is great for relief from tension headaches and a stiff neck.”
To buy: Coolife Neck Massager, $13
Naipo Neck And Back Massage Pillow Highly Rated
Naipo massage pillow view on Naipo
- Dimensions: 13.1 x 4.8 x 8.6 inches
- Weight: 3.3 pounds
- Massage nodes: 4
The simple and user-friendly Naipo neck massage pillow has 4 Deep-Kneading Shiatsu Massage Nodes , which can be heated to about 112 F.
Its ergonomically designed with a W-shape to fit your neck, but you can use it on any other area in your body. Its lighter than the Snailax, which makes it a bit easier to carry around.
Great for travel
- High user ratings on Amazon
Cons
- It comes with a car adapter but is recommended not to use while driving.
Bottom Line
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Physix Gear Sport Muscle Roller Stick Combo
This set from Physix comes with a roller stick and two massage balls that you can use to reduce muscle soreness, increase blood flow, maintain muscular strength and improve your range of movement by simply rolling over trigger points. You can also trap the balls between your body and the floor or wall to achieve a release by applying a consistent amount of pressure. A godsend for recovery, this is an excellent quality roller set that is especially useful for athletes but will be no less joyful on average aches and pains.
How Deep Tissue Massage Works To Alleviate Neck Pain
Deep tissue massage isnt something you would think of when it comes to stopping neck pain. But, it is actually successful in releasing tension and chronic pain. This method uses deeper pressure to reach all layers of the muscles and connective tissues. The neck is a sensitive area. It is important to choose the right therapist so that you avoid any added pain that can come from incorrectly applied techniques.
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How Do The Massage Chairs For Neck And Shoulders Function
Robotic massage chairs are by no means a new invention. While theyre still viewed as a luxury item by many, theyre becoming more widely used, particularly for chronic back pain relief.
A device on or inside the massage chair simulates a sensation of receiving a massage. Youll feel either some simple vibrating elements or other designs use various airbags to squeeze muscles and promote blood circulation. Some neck massage chair or shoulder massage chair models are built with complex machinery designed to imitate a human massage therapists hands, hence the reference to their being transportable personal masseuses.
The majority of massage chairs use a combination of gears, motors, rollers and vibrating mechanisms. The concept of a massage chair has existed for over half a century, but recent years have led to more technologically modern designs.
In its simplest form, a massage chair relies on vibrating surfaces to offer a massage. Small devices containing a weighted gear or wheel create these vibrations. The wheel is unbalanced because the weight isnt centered on it. As the devices electric motor quickly rotates the wheel, a vibration occurs. A massage chair typically contains a few of these devices to create sufficient vibrations across its surface without the whole chair wobbling.
Best Affordable Option: Mirakel Back And Neck Massager
This Mirakel massager proves you don’t have to spend a ton of money on a high-quality neck massager. While it’s the cheapest electric option on the list, shoppers say it relieves their stiff necks and back pain just as well as its more expensive counterparts. The deep-kneading massage nodes and heat functions get rid of knots and sore muscles quickly and efficiently. “I bought this to help with my neck issues. I have been going to PT for years regarding my neck issues, but I needed more. I have found that this little gem has helped tremendously,” said one shopper. “I love that it has the handles that I can pull down and create more pressure if needed. I have only used this for about two weeks, but I have found that it has helped me tremendously with the pain. I use this off and on all day to help while I am sitting at my desk all day looking at the computer.”
To buy: Mirakel Back and Neck Massager, $37
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Other Benefits Of Back And Shoulder Massage
You might have postural changes since birth like scoliosis or Sheuermanns disease, which refers to S shaped spine or wedged shaped vertebrae respectively. Having a neck, shoulder and back massage will help you to manage symptoms such as:
- Pains and aches
- Reduced range of motion of the spine
- Potentially reduce neural symptoms if you are experiencing any such as pins and needles, tingling, numbness and weakness, but it will not fix it.
Same applies to natural age-related changes, if you have spondylosis, which is spine arthritis, massage will not cure it, but will help you manage stiffness, and aches and pains associated with the condition.
Nekteck Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager Best Wrap Around
Nekteck neck massager pillowview on Amazon
- Dimensions: 15 x 8 x 7 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Massage nodes: 8
The Nekteck self-massage pillow with heat massage is more expensive, but we had to let you know about it, because its the only massage pillow on this list that is better at staying in place, using the weight of your hands inside it.
The weight of your hands also helps you control the intensity of the massage.
Its comfortable and lightweight, and it has 8 soft, springy massage heads with a built-in heating function. Beware thee massage is quite powerful.
It has speed and direction control: you can direct the massager clockwise or counter-clockwise as you prefer, and there are 3-speed levels.
Highly customizable
Price Check price .
Cons
- Massage may be too intense for some people, but this can be solved by placing a towel between your body and the massager
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What Do You Need To Be Careful About When Getting A Massage
Here are some things you need to be mindful about when getting a neck massage:
- Avoid taking from neck massages family and friends i.e. non-experts. If done the wrong way, it can lead to further tightening of the muscles and even spasms.
- Inform your therapist if youre on blood thinners or similar medication that will cause you to bruise easily.
- Be very thorough about the intensity and frequency of neck pain, as well as questions about lifestyle. Your honest and accurate answers will help your therapist choose the right techniques to help you.
Another thing to be mindful of during a neck massage is that the pain will first heighten before reducing. For more information, read our post on what NOT to do after a massage.