Most neck problems arise from the common hunched
forward/poked chin posture. What holds the chin
up in this pattern are the upper trapezius and neck
extensor muscles. These overwork, fatigue, and strain,
and subsequently adhesive fibrotic scarring is laid
down as part of the repair process. Massage is the
most effective way of stretching out these tight fibrotic
fibres. It can apply more force to a specific area than
can a general stretch of the whole muscle.
The techniques shown in pages 13 & 14: ‘Massage –
two simple techniques’ are the most relevant ones for
the majority of neck problems. A more comprehensive
general massage will obviously do a more thorough
job. The usual way of doing massage has the patient
lying prone with the head flat, preferably on a massage
plinth with a nose hole. I find a more effective way
to loosen scarred and shortened fibres in the upper
trapezius and posterior neck muscles is to put them
on stretch first, so that all the slack is taken up, and
then massage them longitudinally. This position is
shown on page 13.
The other very common area of muscle overwork,
straining and scarring is the upper trapezius muscle
between the neck and the shoulder. These fibres
overstrain and scar because they come to provide
the major portion of support to the shoulder girdle so
the arms and hands can operate, while the middle
and lower trapezius fibres become stretched out and
weaker. This imbalance tends to get worse unless
corrected. One side-lying position to massage these
upper trapezius fibres is shown on page 14.
These two massage positions cover the release
areas most commonly needed. Good comprehensive
massage will pick up other areas of tightness.
There are other muscle groups likely to be tight and
scarred from repeated work in a hunched position.
They include the pectoral muscles as these are in a
shortened position when using the hands at, say, a
computer keyboard; muscles round the side of the
neck, especially sternocleidomastoid; and serratus
anterior, which pulls the scapulae forward around the
rib cage.
Massage is an essential part of any treatment
programme. On its own it will loosen off tight, scarred
muscles. However, it will not unlock jammed spinal
joints if these are tight enough, and it also won’t
provide support strength. The other components in
the Backpod
®
programme (muscle strengthening,
stretching, mobilising, posture and the Backpod
®
itself) will almost certainly also be needed.
Backpod
®
combined with massage therapy
29
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