Condition · Head & Neck
Neck Pain
How Myofascial Release addresses it, and what to expect.
Neck pain is a sensation of discomfort, stiffness, or pain localized in the area of the neck, which extends from the base of the skull to the top of the shoulders. It can result from various causes, including muscle strain, ligament sprains, poor posture, osteoarthritis, nerve compression, and injuries such as whiplash. Additionally, stress, tension, and underlying medical conditions can contribute to neck pain. The pain may be sharp or dull, and it can be accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches, shoulder pain, or limited range of motion.
Why fascia is involved
A neck that carries the load of the whole upper body.
The neck sits inside a column of fascia that runs from the skull to the ribcage and out across the shoulders. Hours of forward-head posture, old strains, stress and clenching cause that tissue to shorten and thicken, so the neck loses its easy glide and the muscles stay switched on. Restrictions lower down, in the chest, shoulders or upper back, are often what keep the neck from resting.
A Myofascial Release therapist releases the neck in the context of everything it is attached to: the chest and collarbones, the shoulders, the upper back and the base of the skull. Sustained, gentle pressure gives the fascia time to let go rather than being pushed. People often describe their head feeling lighter and turning more freely.
MFR Resource
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Every therapist in the Directory is trained in the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach®.