REALAGE TIP

Nice Neck! It Must Be All the Flying

If your neck's in knots from stress and tension -- or too many hours in front of the computer -- it might be time to flap your wings.

Strength-training exercises aimed at toning arm, shoulder, and neck muscles can help soothe a chronic crick in the neck, research shows.

Return to Full Tip

Add Your Tip

Tips from the RealAge Community MemberTipsIcon

What are your tips for soothing sore muscles?

Sort by:

Lucky0572

4 of 4 people found this helpful.

5/7/2008 12:31:57 PM

To relieve pain I use a bag of frozen popcorn. It doesn't get mushy like peas, stays cold for a long time and molds to my neck and shoulders.

hummingbir...

2 of 2 people found this helpful.

5/5/2008 8:45:44 AM

When I have neck pain, I do neck rolls and get cold bag for 20 minutes.....It does help

melder90

6 of 6 people found this helpful.

5/5/2008 8:30:24 AM

My chiropractor told me to do push ups to loosen up my neck when I get headaches from working at the computer. It really helps, plus the break is nice.

usdept1

5 of 7 people found this helpful.

5/1/2008 6:04:06 AM

I open my mouth real wide and hold open for 7 seconds, and repeat opening it wide the other direction for 7 seconds...while breathing deep breaths....Doing a few repetitions

rommell

26 of 29 people found this helpful.

4/29/2008 9:36:15 AM

I do neck rolls while working at the computer for a long time which helps lessen the strain but what is all the clicking and noisy sounds inside the neck? Does anyone know if the popping & clicking sounds are normal?

[Edited by rommell on 4/29/2008 9:37:40 AM]

Mich-M

13 of 14 people found this helpful.

4/28/2008 3:46:38 PM

I worked with Seniors ( my age) on water aerobic 3 times a weeks 45 minutes class, we do flapping wings and arm row with water dumb bells ( plastic bottles does the trick, as you suggest in your article. it is excellent This is our second year and everyone raves about it.
Miche.M

katmama

18 of 18 people found this helpful.

4/28/2008 1:40:07 PM

Find a good massage therapist!! I am a hairstylist, and when I shampoo a client, while massaging their head, I lift up their head and massage their necks. I haven't had a complaint. Ask your stylist to include your neck in the head massage. She/he will surly have more clients remember and return for that wonderful treat.

sandidoh

32 of 33 people found this helpful.

4/28/2008 8:01:24 AM

tips to losing weight, make sure you put your knife and fork down after each mouthful of food, chew everything slowly, this will allow your brain to recognise that your stomach is full and therfore you will eat less. Use a side plate instead of dinner plate for portion control.

Ajijic

6 of 11 people found this helpful.

4/28/2008 7:19:25 AM

Believing that something is out there that is right for your pain - just keep searching and it will come!

Deborah-MT

26 of 27 people found this helpful.

4/28/2008 6:08:34 AM

Head lifts

Neck curl: Lie on back - knees bent, feet flat on floor. Tuck chin and lift head toward chest, keeping shoulders on the floor. Hold 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Neck side bend: Lie on right side with right arm laying straight out. Rest head on arm, then lift your head slowly toward left shoulder. Hold 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Switch to left side & repeat the exercise lifting head toward right shoulder.

Hands and knees neck extension: Get on hands and knees & look down at the floor. Keep the back straight and let the head slowly drop toward your chest. Tuck chin and lift the head up until neck is level with back. Hold position 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Shoulder shrugs: Stand with head directly over shoulders, with spine straight. Shrug shoulders up and then relax. Do 3 sets of 10.

Shoulder abduction and adduction: Stand with arms at sides. Bring arms up, out to the side, toward the ceiling. Hold for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.

Deborah-MT

14 of 14 people found this helpful.

4/28/2008 6:01:23 AM

Brachial Plexus Injury (Stinger/Burner) Rehab Exercises:

Begin these exercises when moving your neck in all directions (up, down, right, left) does not cause numbness or tingling down your arm or into your hand.

Neck Isometric Exercises:

Neck Flexion: Sit tall, eyes straight ahead, and chin level. Place your palm against your forehead and gently push your forehead into your palm. Hold for 5 seconds and release. Do 3 sets of 5.

Neck extension: Clasp hands together & place them behind your head. Press the back of your head into your palm. Hold 5 seconds and release. Do 3 sets of 5.

Neck side bend: Place the palm of your hand at the side of your temple and press your temple into the palm of your hand. Hold 5 seconds and release. Do 3 sets of 5 on each side.

Deborah-MT

12 of 12 people found this helpful.

4/28/2008 5:59:07 AM

For neck, arm & wrist/hand pain. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/aka CTS

Stand head up face forward:
Arms along sides, angle hands up at wrists, palms parallel to floor - stretch arms & hands toward the floor. Repeat 3 to 5 times...

Arms extended in front:
Hands in stop position. Left palm over right, gently stretch right hand back toward top of forearm. Repeat 3 to 5 times. Reverse with right palm across the left...

Arms extended in front:
Palms parallel to the body, fingers pointing to floor - place left palm over back of right hand- gently press to stretch wrist & forearm ...

Arms extended front - Angle right hand/pinkie side up toward ceiling - left palm on back of right hand bend right wrist, right palm faces out - parallel to the wall behind you. Repeat 3 to 5 times. Reverse angle of right wrist, palm out & away from you (toward wall in front) back of the hand facing the body. Left palm over right palm, in each position to extend and stretch the right side. Repeat 3 to 5 times. Reverse for left arm...

Extend arms out to sides, shoulder level. Bend both wrists, fingers toward ceiling, bend elbows & bring palms of hands up to the ears. For extra stretch place the palms of hands on tops of shoulders.

DianH

20 of 20 people found this helpful.

4/27/2008 11:21:48 PM

For sore neck and especially back muscles...for knots in your back...put a tennis ball in a sock. The sock is to hold on to the ball. Then put the ball between your sore spot and the wall and push hard on the ball. It sure can hurt, but afterwards, you'll feel so much looser, and so much better!

Add Your Tip

Hi, please sign in.

Sign in to find out how young or old you really are and to create your RealAge profile and inbox. Then, you can start meeting other RealAgers.