Browsed by
Category: Neck

Dowager’s Hump – Massage and Exercise

Dowager’s Hump – Massage and Exercise

Please note that this page is mainly for my personal reference – based on various YouTube resources. Deep Tissue Massage and Manual Therapy for Relieving Dowager’s Hump – Erik Dalton Massage techniques – standing, assess how tight are the sub-occiptal muscles and then reassess when client is sitting. If tone of sub-occipals are tighter when standing implies that there is an input from the pelvis. Side-lying fist into upper traps. Lean in and get client to gently lift shoulder (restricted…

Read More Read More

The Nocebo Effect

The Nocebo Effect

Most people are aware that there can be a positive effect merely from the power of suggestion, the placebo effect. Studies invariably demonstrate that reduction in pain as the result of an intervention are correlated to the expectation that there will be a reduction in pain as a result of said intervention. If you go to a doctor and you are given medication for pain then the chances are that so long as you believe that the medication will work…

Read More Read More

Massage for Levator Scapula

Massage for Levator Scapula

Most massage therapists would probably consider that the levator scapula is one of the more significant muscles of the neck and shoulder complex. Massaging and changing the tone of the levator scapula can resolve the pain and discomfort that many clients feel in the neck. According to Ian Harvey, aka Massage Sloth, around 80-90% of stiff neck or crick in the neck then levator scapula is the main culprit. Also forward head posture leads to the lev scap being in…

Read More Read More

How important is good posture

How important is good posture

Had a few clients mention recently that other people have been commenting on their posture and they are concerned to find out that one shoulder is higher than the other. Personally I am in the camp that poor posture and its impact on pain is over diagnosed. There are people with notionally “poor” posture who are pain free and others who have more normal posture who have significant pain issues. The range of asymmetry that someone can normally tolerate is,…

Read More Read More

Shoulder Assessments for Massage Therapists

Shoulder Assessments for Massage Therapists

Testing strength and range of motion as part of assessment of the musculature of the shoulder girdle is important and useful as a first step in reducing shoulder pain and improving shoulder function. There many assessment techniques that are used by massage therapists and physiotherapists (although obviously massage therapists are not permitted to diagnose conditions). Typically the assessment of the shoulder will include the following steps: 1. Visual assessment – including active movement of the shoulder. 2. Passive movement of…

Read More Read More

Massage for the Neck

Massage for the Neck

The vast majority of the clients I see will request that I spend some time working on the neck. Tightness in the neck can lead to headaches or just result in stiffness and limited range of motion. Turning your head to look to the side can become a challenge. With the stresses and strains we put on our bodies through our daily actions, the muscles of the neck often feel tight, sore and compromised. Sitting in front of computers, looking…

Read More Read More