Headaches can really be a pain in the neck – LITERALLY.
Your neck supports your head in many ways. It nourishes the brain with constant blood flow to keep the computer running. As part of your body’s pillar, it houses an impressive amount of connective tissue such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and bone BUT, if these muscles and tendons become tense and inflamed, you will usually feel tenderness and what is known as a ‘stiff neck’.
Headaches are an unpleasant symptom of neck pain.
They’re a real killjoy. The good news is that if your headaches do stem from neck stiffness or muscle spasm, then a good deep tissue massage will definitely help free-up some of that tension. There are also many self-massaging gadgets on the market these days and if we can recommend one over all others which certainly won’t break the bank, it’s the tennis ball. It works wonders on a stiff neck but helps combat trigger points in general.
Try these simple movements to release head and neck tension:
To get started, you’ll need a hard surface to lie on, two tennis balls and… a sock (clean, not the one currently on your foot)!
- Pop the two balls in the sock and tie a knot to keep them in place.
- Lie on the floor and position the balls at the base of your skull.
- Relax and take a couple of deep breaths. The pressure should already feel good.
- Nod your head up and down for one minute as if to say yes and feel the balls nuzzle into your neck, yeeesssss.
- Now, as if to say no, tilt your head from side to say for another minute.
Alternate between a yes and no movement for as long as you feel necessary and feel the tension seep from your head and neck. These moves soothe the erector muscles, which we tend to strain while staring at a screen.
Put on a relaxing playlist as you perform these exercises and ENJOY!