Muscle Tightness

[jessbee82]

I find that getting a massage is a great way to help with muscle tightness.  Although modalities like Reiki, Reflexology, Acupuncture etc are great, a simple and cheap way of obtaining muscle relief is foam rolling.  Foam Roles are easily available, usually in sport stores.  I foam roll when I have a good day and that way I can maintain the pain.

[jessbee82]

Yep, I do avoid the neck area, and I roll around the neck - usually the shoulders and thoracic spine.  I don't have a Chiari Dr yet, I am in Canada so this is a challenge.  I may be looking to the Chiari Institute if I have no luck in my home town.  I am still waiting on an appointment date with my second neurologist, we'll see how it goes...

[selmaS]

I was told not to do the neck via my NS...so I avoid it....but, I am not able to find a way to use this technique  with out causing additional neck strain.

Do u have a chiari dr ?

U may want to avoid the neck area...no deep tissue  massage to the neck.

"selma"

[jessbee82]

hi selma, i am in the same position as you, foam rolling causes me neck strain.  it is very hard for me to do but it does help.  i mainly foam roll my back. i use tennis balls to roll my butt, legs, and neck.
i find that the more i loosen my butt, back and legs the less pain in my neck.
for the neck i would suggest standing up against the wall using the tennis balls.  roll the area around your neck (or whatever is easiest to get to) and hopefully the muscles will at least loosen for you.

[selmaS]

Hi...I did the foam rolling in PT, only issue I had was I could not figure a way in doing so without neck strain.....

If u can tell me how to use this method without the strain I would be willing to try it again.

"selma"