Self-help for stiff neck and shoulders
Take constant repetitive movements on the computer, phone and behind the wheel; add an average amount of stress, and you have the modern Achilles heal — a stiff neck and shoulders, according to Mills-Peninsula massage therapist Elizabeth Azzopardi.
“Almost everything we do today involves those muscles, and when an overuse injury already exists, stress compounds the problem.”
People don’t have to put up with the pain and tension, Azzopardi said. She will teach a six-part series on how to understand, prevent and improve neck problems beginning March 28.
“When a muscle is locked into one position for hours, it gets shortened,” Azzopardi said. “Proper breathing and stretching are crucial.”
Diet and exercise can make a difference. “A lot of people don’t realize, for example, that too much caffeine or sugar can also increase muscle tension, and some foods enhance inflammation,” she said.
Call 696 5600 for more information or to register.