There were many requests for self neck and shoulder massage. This week I will show you how I massage my own neck and shoulders using the pinch and hold technique.
First back of the neck. Pinch the neck muscles on one side with your thumb with two or three fingers and hold. Instead of using the finger strength, think of sliding the thumb underneath the neck muscles by bringing the muscles with other fingers. Use a pressure that “hurts good.” While pinching, nod your head back and forth. Repeat on several locations on the neck. Repeat on the other side.
Second, side and front of the neck. There is a muscle called Sternocleidomastoid or SCM. You can clearly see this muscle when you turn to a side. Pinch the SCM with your thumb and the side of your index finger and hold. You can use the other hand too. Either way, slightly pull away from the center. You should not be feeling a pulse. While pinching, turn to the sides left and right, tilt left and right and look up diagonally away from the pinching point. Repeat on several locations on the SCM. Repeat on the other side.
Finally, the shoulder muscles. Pinch the opposite shoulder muscle with your thumb and the rest of the fingers and hold. Again, instead of finger strength, turn your hand so the thumb slides underneath the shoulder muscles and bring the elbow down to use the gravity. While pinching, raise your shoulders up and down, and rotate your shoulders front and back, and tilt your head to the other side. Repeat on several locations on the shoulder. Repeat on the other side.
Massage Monday #552 Self Neck and Shoulder Massage – Pinch and Hold http://bit.ly/mm-552