When your neck and shoulders feel stiff,
“Maybe it’s my bad posture?”
Many people probably think that.
Posture certainly matters, but in fact, holding the same position for long periods is also thought to be one of the major causes of neck and shoulder stiffness.
Why not moving makes neck and shoulder stiffness more likely
When our muscles move, they act like a pump that helps circulate blood.
But when you stay in the same position for desk work or smartphone use, the muscles of the neck and shoulders remain tense for long periods.
Blood flow to the muscles then tends to decrease and fatigue-related substances can build up, which is thought to lead to stiffness and a heavy, tired feeling in the neck and shoulders.
So it’s not only “poor posture” but “not moving for long periods” in itself that puts strain on the body.
Even good posture causes strain if you don’t move
Many people say, “I pay attention to good posture, but my shoulders still get stiff.”
That is because no matter how good your posture is, holding the same position for a long time places a certain amount of strain on your muscles.
In recent years, the idea that “the best posture is not staying in any one posture” has also been gaining ground.
That is why it is important to move your body often, for example by standing up once an hour, gently moving your neck and shoulders and taking deep breaths.
Neck and shoulder stiffness can also affect the head
The muscles of the neck and shoulders are connected to the back of the head and the scalp.
So when tension in the neck and shoulders continues, it can also lead to:
• A heavy, dull feeling in the head
• Headaches
• Eye strain
• Reduced focus
and more.
If your head also feels heavy by the end of a day of desk work, fatigue in your neck and shoulders may be playing a part.
What we value at La HEAD
At La HEAD, drawing on years of hands-on experience and knowledge of the body gained at an osteopathic clinic, we treat not only the head but also the neck, shoulders, back of the head and arms.
We carefully loosen the neck and shoulders, which tend to tense up from long hours in the same position, and we value offering time when you can relax all the way up to your head.
Our guests have told us things like:
“My neck feels lighter.”
“Even my head feels clearer.”
“The tiredness from work feels like it’s eased.”
We are grateful to hear comments like these.
Keep your body moving, and don’t let fatigue build up
In today’s world, where desk work and smartphones are part of daily life, it may be hard to avoid staying in the same position.
That is why it is important to move your body often and not let fatigue build up too much.
“My neck and shoulders have felt heavy lately.”
“I spend most of the day sitting.”
If that sounds like you, why not make time to relax your neck and head along with building a habit of moving your body?