| I am SO excited to share the targeted neck massage techniques I learned during a recent continuing education class in Missoula. |
| Although instructor Brian Utting’s “Precise Techniques For the Muscles and Ligaments of Anterior, Lateral & Posterior Neck” class sounds academic and anatomical, the strategies we learned were actually quite subtle, layered, and energetically powerful. For example, some of the most significant techniques involve the anterior (front) of the neck, beneath the chin. According to Utting, massage in this area may open up a person’s vocal cords so much that they find themselves able to express thoughts and feelings more freely. (Be careful!) If we explore these techniques on the table, I may suggest a few gentle aftercare tips, such as neck stretches or ice packs. We may also do a range-of-motion test before and after your massage to see how effective they were for you. Throat openers Strengthen your larynx (and — bonus! — maybe reduce snoring) with exercises such as: – Sing! Practice breathing from the diaphragm and whole ribcage. – Lion’s breath. Open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and exhale forcefully with an audible “haaaaa.” Try a few and see how powerful and expressive you feel. – Mendelsohn swallow. With an empty mouth, swallow halfway, pause a moment, then finish the swallow. – Tongue exercise. Push your tongue hard against the roof of your mouth and the inside of each cheek. Repeat a few times. – Yawn. You know how to do it. Now do it on purpose. Do it again. Try massage for your neck pain I look forward to seeing if these techniques help you. Also, If you’ve been in lately, you probably went home with cucumbers, watermelon, or zucchinis or eggplant from the garden. If so, I hope you enjoyed them! I’m thankful to have food to share. |
November 18
October 2022: Release neck tension & unlock your voice
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