Apparently, I send every ounce of stress to my neck and shoulders. As a result, I have monster-size, rock hard knots in my shoulders that sure cause me lots and lots of grief. If I don’t have a headache every day, somethings wrong.
The morning that I woke up, turned my head and it got stuck in its position is the day I decided I should finally see a physical therapist. I realized I was a freak when every therapist in the office was called over to come check out my knots, like I was a spectacle. “Golf balls,” they called them. 6 weeks of therapy, 3 times a week, and they kicked me out. Basically, I was told there is no hope for these knots. They’re too big, too old, and too hard. It was really depressing and cost a pretty penny. But, at least I could move my head again…just back to the daily headaches.
I’ve tried lots of different work-outs, stretches, hot/cold packs, and massages to no avail. And, I’d love to tell you that I’ve found something or somebody that has completely diminished my knots…but, no. Not yet, anyway. I think a lot of it has to do with time. I don’t have a lot of extra time to spend on these knots…I’ve got stuff to do. So, for now…I try to keep the headaches away by doing as much as I can on my own. When my kids are older…I’ll get these puppies taken care of. My husband, being the carpenter that he is, has this super clever idea to get a hammer and just hit them really hard until they give. That or get a saw and cut them off. Both of which are last resort options for me.
Anyway, here are some of my favorite things for easing the tension in my neck, shoulders, and often my back: (these things can be great gift ideas too, for those who frequently ache…)
The 22″ Tiger Tail Rolling Muscle Massager 
is a massage tool that you roll across your body to ease tension. I roll it up and down my neck and shoulder and it makes it easier to add pressure to them. It can also be used on calves, thighs, backs, anywhere that needs some love! I feel a lot “looser” (not in a skanky way) after I use it…and I use it daily.
is a massage tool that you roll across your body to ease tension. I roll it up and down my neck and shoulder and it makes it easier to add pressure to them. It can also be used on calves, thighs, backs, anywhere that needs some love! I feel a lot “looser” (not in a skanky way) after I use it…and I use it daily.
The Miracle Ball Method
is easy as pie to do AND really helps a lot. For like 12 bucks, you get the mini-book explaining how to do it, and both of the balls. What first caught my attention when I saw these was HOW many great reviews it got! So many people were saying that is really worked miracles for them…their back, hips, shoulders, anywhere they were having troubles. The concept is your own body weight plus breathing is what you need to release tension. It’s such an easy thing to do for about 15 minutes a day…such completely relax and breath.
is easy as pie to do AND really helps a lot. For like 12 bucks, you get the mini-book explaining how to do it, and both of the balls. What first caught my attention when I saw these was HOW many great reviews it got! So many people were saying that is really worked miracles for them…their back, hips, shoulders, anywhere they were having troubles. The concept is your own body weight plus breathing is what you need to release tension. It’s such an easy thing to do for about 15 minutes a day…such completely relax and breath.
With 250 PERFECT reviews, I knew I also needed the Thera Cane Massager
! And, this one might be my most favorite. I can get JUST the right spots on my neck, shoulders, and back that need work with no trouble at all! I’ll find the knot, use pressure and hold for about 10 seconds and release. I work on my knots for just a couple minutes every couple days. The day after I use this I always feel pretty sore…so, I like to take a day off. But, this baby “hurts so good.” This also includes an instruction booklet to give you different ideas and positions to try.
! And, this one might be my most favorite. I can get JUST the right spots on my neck, shoulders, and back that need work with no trouble at all! I’ll find the knot, use pressure and hold for about 10 seconds and release. I work on my knots for just a couple minutes every couple days. The day after I use this I always feel pretty sore…so, I like to take a day off. But, this baby “hurts so good.” This also includes an instruction booklet to give you different ideas and positions to try.
I’ve had many rice bags in my days, but this one from Etsy’s Ferris Wheels shop is by far my favorite! It’s designed to hang lower onto your shoulders and curve up to surround your neck…it gets all the main areas! The other one’s I’ve had have to be propped up onto my neck…but, then there is nothing left to cover my shoulders. These ones take care of that. I love, love it. You can regularly find me sporting one of these every morning…even when I drive my kids to school (keeps me from tensing up when it’s chilly outside)! Also, they can be used heated up or chilled. Great gift idea too 🙂
Okay, I don’t actually own this book yet…but, it’s on my list! Also, well-loved and raved about by reviewers, Trigger Point Therapy workbook
is the perfect self-help book for pain relief! It will teach you all about your trigger points, where your pain is coming from, and how to stimulate the flow of oxygen in your body to reduce pain. Sounds good to me!
is the perfect self-help book for pain relief! It will teach you all about your trigger points, where your pain is coming from, and how to stimulate the flow of oxygen in your body to reduce pain. Sounds good to me!
Anyway, there you have it. A glimpse into my daily activities. I would love to hear any of your suggestions for relieving muscle tension that doesn’t require me to see someone on a frequent basis and drain my bank account, thanks!
This is a great post. I have lots of muscle pain and was going to recommend the Miracle Balls. They help me with Fibromyalgia. The only thing that really makes the pain go away for me is a massage, but here are some more things that help:
Epsom salt baths (2 C. in a bath)
Taking magnesium. There is even magnesium gel or oil that you can rub into those sore spots. http://www.health-and-wisdom.com/magnesium.htm#mg
Essential oils can be a huge help. Peppermint oil, Wintergreen, Camphor, etc. I like the combination in this: http://www.024zone.com/ It makes a huge difference for me on those really bad pain days. It has a strong pepperminty smell but really helps.
I love that neck and shoulder rice bag! And I might need to try the Tiger Tail and the Thera Cane!
Mariel, I am highly recommending the trigger workbook!! I don’t actually have it, but my cousin is an amazing massage therapist who focuses a LOT on trigger points.
Like you, I send every ounce of stress I have to my neck and shoulders. So, I too have almost daily headaches (and kidney stones, so I have to be careful not to medicate a whole lot). Anyways, when I have my trigger points worked on (by someone else or myself) I instantly feel better and I am knot free for a while. It’s amazing! I hope you find some relief from it, as well!
I recommend T-Tapp (www.t-tapp.com). It’s an exercise program, but the basic workout takes only fifteen minutes. It’s very rehabilitative, too.
I’m like you sending all my stress to my neck and shoulders. I’ve done physical therapy and massage,but my knots seem like they are here to stay. I’m getting ready to try a home remedy using tea candles. I’m not sure how it works yet, but my coworker swears by it and at this point I’ll try anything! We’ll see.
1. Pillows – make sure you’re sleeping on the right kind, that goes for mattresses too – use a body pillow to evenly distribute your weight when you’re sleeping.
I feel stress in my shoulders and neck too. I have found a restorative yoga class to be immensely helpful. After three classes (one class a week) I noticed the tension disappearing. It’s only a couple of hours a week and it is so worth the money and babysitting time! I would go more often if I had the time…like you said, maybe when the kids are older. 🙂
I used to have bad knots, but luckily they haven’t been bothering me as much lately. I totally recomend essential oils too! This is my FAVORITE!!
https://www.iact1.com/doterra/ShoppingCart/Shop.cfm?CurrPage=FrontPage&NextPage=CategoryDetail&CategoryID=88&pid=67629464467287913
Its called Deep Blue (itsa roller bottle) and its a natural icy hot. The best part is that while it helps temporarily with the hot and cold sensations, the oils really go in and help your muscles heal too. It has worked wonders for me!
There is also a blend that is less expensive called “Past Tense” that is awesome on tension and headaches. I can’t live without them!
Oooh, I love my miracle balls – really.. but I think I really need that fancy rice bag… looking like a must have for mother’s day 🙂
I also store most of my stress and tension in my neck and shoulders. I’m going to have to try out one or all of your suggestions because let’s be honest . . . the husband’s back rubs just aren’t cutting it.
I’ve felt your “golf balls” for myself, and I can attest to how impressive they are. I hope you find a permanent solution. I struggle with some past whiplash injuries, but nothing like what you deal with. I’ll let you know if I hear of any great fixes!
Oh my oh my!!! This sounds just like me!! I have horrible back and neck problems that I lovingly inherited from my father 😉
My poor hubby’s hands get so tired just trying to keep up with my knots and it never seems to do any difference.
These all sounds wonderful and I can’t wait to start trying them out!! The little balls look great as my lower back KILLS me all the time!
Thanks so much for sharing! I feel so whiny all the time about my back..haha so glad someone else understands..my husbands back is like mush!!! lol 😉
I had a personal trainer tell me once that women carry all of their tension in their neck, upper back and shoulders- no wonder we all have knots!!
Great post! I am amoung you that carry my stress in my neck & shoulders. I had a quick massage earlier this week for the first time in years, and I thought the therapist was going to flat out say it was going to take longer than the session to work my knots out and he wouldn’t do it.
I think I’m going to pick up some of the Miracle Balls and start with those myself. To this point, I’ve pretty much done nothing about the pain, but I’m taking this as a warning to look after it sooner than later!
We own the Trigger Point Therapy Book and we LOVE it! My husband had knee problems during sports activities and found that working on the trigger points in his thighs helped his knees. And it got rid of my shoulder pain that the doctors told me I’d need surgery for!! It was just a trigger point in my neck! I was actually really mad when the pain was gone because I had gone years and years with that horrible pain and all I needed was a good neck rubbing! I recommend this book to EVERYONE!
Great, great article you wrote! Honest and real. No concrete solution, but you’re looking for the answer just like me. One thing I can recommend is at night before you go to bed, put a couple of heaping tablespoons of Black Cherry Extract in a small glass of water (tastes great) and drink that up. Not only does it help you relax and sleep more peacefully because it has melatonin, but it also helps calm down all that inflammation! All our pain is inflammation within our body. BUT the best solution of them all and I hate to say this because it’s the hardest thing to do in the WORLD is to follow the book Clean by Dr. Alejandro Junger. You give up caffeine, salt and sugar and all things processed and I KID YOU NOT MY FRIEND, you will never feel so good again in your life as when you try this book/lifestyle change. The idea is to do it for 21 days, but really it’s a forever type of thing. I got through the no sugar, no salt and no caffeine for about 12 days, and I felt as though I never had pain before in my life. I’m 16 years in to my Chronic neck and now shoulder pain. Some times I want to die it’s so bad, but I have 3 kids and a husband and I want to live for them. But the Clean thing is so, so hard to do because if you drink caffeine and then give it up, you will literally have an intense, extreme headache for about 4 days and it’s almost unbearable. So I suggest weaning yourself off caffeine slowly before you try it. You have to limit or take away so many things in your diet to feel better. I work out and stretch like a crazy person as well, but I still have so much pain. Not ready to do Clean again in my life, too much going on to give up everything good. Take care and I hope this helps.