Many of us experience
neck and nape tension, which is also associated with muscle stiffness. This is related to
prolonged sitting and stress, thus elements that constitute a significant part of today's world. It also results from not maintaining
sleep hygiene at a good level. Relaxing these muscles definitely
brings relief, which improves well-being. It's worth taking care to
ease the tension and restore the neck's flexibility.
One method is
stretching the muscles, i.e., regular stretching of muscles and fascia. For this purpose,
stretching exercises are used, which work on the neck and nape muscles. This in turn helps to
reduce tension and increase range of motion, also acting as pain relief. The most basic exercise involves simply
tilting the head from side to side, forward, and backward, while controlling the breath.
Also, a gentle
massage of the neck and nape can help in loosening the tension, thereby alleviating pain. You can use
fingers, thumb, or massagers for this, depending on your preferences. Performing
circular movements, especially with gradually increasing pressure, is effective.
Another method is applying a
warm compress to the neck and nape area. This also helps some people to
relax the muscles, which in turn alleviates tension. You can use a
warm cloth, hot water bottle, or thermal pads, which also comes down to personal preferences. However, ensure that they have a
safe temperature to avoid burning the skin.
Techniques based on mindfulness and deep breathing, like
meditation or yoga, which are becoming increasingly popular, will also help in
effectively reducing stress and tension. These are also helpful for
relaxing the neck muscles, especially with regular practices. For many people, they bring
long-term relief and additionally affect lifestyle.
Of course, the basis is
awareness of body posture, which should translate into caring for the physiological positioning of the spine during
daily activities, such as sitting or walking. This includes during a key activity, namely
while sleeping, on which we spend an average of about 1/3 of our lives. To this end, care must be taken for
mattresses that support the spine in appropriate positions. Along with them, it's worth having an
orthopedic pillow, which will take care of the cervical spine's positioning.