DIY Acupressure Massage Therapy to Relieve
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Katoka Massage Therapy knows that aches and pains can really take away from your abilities and overall happiness. Don't worry, we have you covered!
Try these DIY acupressure massage therapy tips for aches and pains
How Can I Relieve Neck and Shoulder Pain?
It’s two o’clock in the afternoon and it just dawns on you that you haven’t eaten lunch yet. You peel your eyes from your computer screen, roll your shoulders back and are reminded of how stiff your neck is from sitting all morning at your desk. Sound familiar?
Whether we work in the office or from home, few of us can avoid the necessity of sitting long hours at a computer. Working at a screen is the main trigger for neck and upper body aches, which can easily become an arch-enemy. We all love a good massage, but there's a lot we can also do to relieve our own aches and pains!
Take matters into your own hands and try out some DIY acupressure massage for pain relief!
Where Did Acupressure Come From?
The practice of acupressure massage therapy is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that originated thousands of years ago. Practitioners of acupressure believe that you are filled with a vital life energy force known as chi or qi. This energy flows throughout your entire body between your skin and organs along pathways called meridians.
Chi regulates the harmony in your body by balancing Yin and Yang. Yang is a principle of heat and activity that governs the outer portions of the body. Its opposite, Yin, is a principle of coldness and passiveness that governs the inner potions of the body.
Acupressure massage therapy is used to raise or lower the Yin and Yang in various parts of your body to keep your energy balanced. When your chi is not balanced, your body is prone to blockage and illness. Over 2,000 acupoints have been identified to do just that.
These acupoints are even the same ones that are used in the practice of acupuncture. Acupressure, rather than using needles, apply deep pressure to stimulate these points and generate healing.
Acupressure massage therapy for neck, shoulder pains and headaches
How does neck tension cause headaches?
Ever wonder why complaints of neck tightness and shoulder tension also seem to include headaches, insomnia, dizziness or tinnitus? Very simply, because our body parts are all connected!
The neck is a passageway for many veins and arteries that service a number of our body’s systems like the musculoskeletal, respiratory and endocrine. This is exactly why you want to keep your shoulders and neck loose and tension free.
Good to Read: Headaches? Say No More.
Here are four acupressure points
that help relieve muscle pain in
your neck and shoulders:
Isabelle and her team are amazing. They provide chair massage therapy at our offices and we are guaranteed a moment of bliss! Isabelle always helps in getting rid of some tight knots on my back. Very grateful for Katoka, they provide an outstanding service.
Isabelle and her team are amazing. They provide chair massage therapy at our offices and we are guaranteed a moment of bliss! Isabelle always helps in getting rid of some tight knots on my back. Very grateful for Katoka, they provide an outstanding service.
LARGE INTESTINE MERIDIAN
Joining Valley or Hegu - LI4
Located at the highest spot of the muscle when you bring your thumb and index finger together. Relax your fingers and grip this point with the thumb and index finger of your other hand. Apply firm pressure and massage. Clinically used for stress, facial pain, headaches, toothaches and neck pain.
TRIPLE BURNER MERIDIAN (TRIPLE ENERGISER / TRIPLE WARMER / SAN JIAO)
Central Islet or Zhongzhu – TB3
Located in the groove between the knuckles of your ring finger and little finger. Place your thumb on the acupoint and apply strong pressure for about two minutes. Massaging this point helps relieve temporal headaches, shoulder and neck tension, plus upper back pain. Practice this 2-3 times a day on each hand and you will get faster relief!
GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN
Shoulder Well or Jian Jing – GB21
Located by pinching the shoulder muscle with your thumb and middle finger on each side. Using your index finger or thumb, apply downward pressure to the top of the area. You should massage this point on both shoulders at the same time, applying pressure and then releasing it. This acupoint helps to relieve pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders.
GALLBLADDER MERIDIAN
Wind Pool or Feng Chi – GB20
To locate this point at the base of your skull, clasp your hands together with thumbs facing downward and grasp the back of your head. Feel for your ear muscle with each thumb and follow the grooves to where your neck muscles attach to the back of the skull. Apply pressure with your thumbs. Besides relieving neck pain, Feng Chi acupressure is also recommended when you have cold/flu symptoms, overall low energy or fatigue, migraine, or eye blurriness.
*You can try almost all of these DIY massages right at your work desk!*
But wait... There's more!
Avoiding Neck and Shoulder Stiffness:
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Take note of the chair you always sit in. Is it comfortable? If not, it’s well worth it to invest in an ergonomic one!
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How about your computer? The screen should be at eye level, while your hands should rest on the keyboard without raising your shoulders. If you work long hours on a laptop, consider getting an external keyboard.
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Sit up straight with good posture
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Don’t stay seated for long periods of time. Get up and move around. Ideally every 25 minutes move for 5.
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Consider your sleeping position and find a comfortable pillow that compliments your sleep styleHave a daily exercise routine to keep you active!
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Learn the power of
Acupressure Massage Therapy
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