Today is a most joyous day, as I think I finally eliminated my chronic neck pain. I’ve had a tight neck and shoulders that have led to headaches for many years now.
I managed to buy a new pillow because my current pillow wasn’t very supportive and had the comfort of a rock. Not only have I started sleeping on a new pillow, but I’ve also kept up with various neck and shoulder exercises.
This may sound like a “duh” moment but I assure you, this is more of a story of persistence than a paltry discovery. I’ve bought pillows before and I’ve also stretched before. I’ve even used tennis balls and various types of medicine balls. The difference this time is that I bought a memory foam pillow and kept up with neck and shoulder stretches almost daily.
I have also thought about getting a foam roller, but at this time, I haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
The moral of the story is to make sure you’re sleeping correctly. Get a pillow that is comfortable to lay on. Furthermore, stretch out that tight neck every once in a while.
Take a break from your computer and do a few “yes-no-maybe” exercises with your neck to get started. They are performed exactly how they sound. Move your neck in these range of motions:
- Look down at your chest and then look towards the ceiling.
- Look over your left shoulder and then look over your right shoulder.
- Tilt your head down towards your left shoulder and then tilt your head down towards your right shoulder.
You can do this range of motions back and forth or you can do one side at a time. The only caveat is to do them slowly. The last thing you need to do is add more pain into the mix.
Once you can learn to relax, you will be able to rehabilitate quicker and become more energetic in your day-to-day activities. Try it and let me know what you think.