Tip of the Month - May
Coach Monika says…
Ever experienced neck tension, discomfort/soreness, or even pain after extended smartphone or laptop use? According to medical research, looking at your tablet with a tilted head, a most unfavourable position, leads to muscle tension and soreness in the shoulders and neck, as does prolonged sitting with incorrect posture. Massive tension in the upper back, shoulders, and neck region can lead to stress and persistent headaches.Moreover, many sport activities utilize movement patterns with the upper body in the forward and convex position, which results in the ‘forward rounded shoulder syndrome’ or so-called ‘slouch position.’ Therefore, contra-indicated exercises (shoulder and upper body stretches) should be included in daily Warm-up and/or Cool-down exercises for health reasons.The following exercises are helpful to release tension:
Avoid remaining in an uncomfortable or strained position for longer periods of time
Tilt head to the R – center head – tilt head to the L – try to touch ear to shoulder while keeping shoulder depressed (down) – 8-16 repetitions
Rotate shoulder slowly forward – 8-16 repetitions
Rotate shoulders slowly backward – 8-16 repetitions
Alternate shoulder rotation – 16 repetitions – forward and backward
Pull up R shoulder to R ear – lower – 8-16 repetitions – pull up L shoulder to L ear – lower shoulder – 8-16 repetitions – or alternate shoulder
Exercise #1
Exercise #2
Stand, feet slightly apart or sit upright on a chair, feet flat on floor and slightly apart – place both hands on one side at the back part of the head (on bottom, just above the onset of the neck) – massage neck muscles softly forward and downward toward the chest and ribcage – feel around for small knots of muscles, which cause tension – use two fingers of one hand and palm of opposite hand and apply pressure against the knot[s] until pain ceases – repeat on opposite side
Stand upright, feet slightly apart – pull in stomach – place L hand overhead onto R side of the head – tilt head slowly to L side while stretching R arm at the same time downward until feeling a slight pull in the neck and shoulder girdle – hold 30 seconds – release – repeat on other side – repeat exercise 6-8 times per day
References:
Das Goldene Blatt (2017, December 13). Gesundheit. Übung der Woche. Löst Verspannungen und lindert Nackenschmerz [Health. Exercise of the week. Reduces tension and alleviates neck pain], #51, p. 23.Das Goldene Blatt (2018, April 18). Gesundheit. Übung der Woche. Nacken-Akupressur befreit vom Schmerz. [Health. Exercise of the week. Neck- acupuncture relieves pain], #15, p. 24.Die Aktuelle (2018, April 18). Herr Doctor was kann das sein? Weshalb habe ich ständig Nackenschmerzen. [Doctor what can this be? Why do I have constant neck pain?], #18, p. 61.Pictures:Das Goldene Blatt (2017, December 13, #51, p. 23).Das Goldene Blatt (2018, April 18, #15, p. 24).