As your chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I call this time of year stiff neck season.  People start creating an environment for them as the weather cools.  First of all, we just stop hydrating as much.  So, as those neck posture muscles start to lose hydration, they get closer to injury.  Then we let our houses get cooler at night because… “It’s to early to turn the heat on”.   Those two are a perfect storm for a stiff neck.  Regular adjustments help prevent them but in the event you do have one you can try this at home.   Then call me…

The muscle runs from the top medial part of your shoulder blade up in to your neck.  So the way to stretch it is to separate those two structures.  You can do the stretch standing or sitting.

1. Lengthen the muscle by raising the elbow above the shoulder on the side to stretch.
2. In this position, first rest the elbow against a door jamb. This rotates the outside of shoulder blade up and the inside of it down, which lengthens the levator scapula muscle.
3. Second, turn the head away from the side that is stretching and bring the chin down, stretching the back of the neck .
4. Third, place the fingers of the other hand on the top of the head and gently pull the head forward increasing the stretch slightly.

Hold this for about 30 seconds to a minute.

If this helps great you got some relief before going to your chiropractor.  If they didn’t call for an appointment because it won’t usually improve on its own.

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

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