There is an ever growing demand for the treatment for neck pain and whilst there are many medicines and therapies one can use, a regular programme of massage therapy is a natural method for fighting not just the symptoms but the causes of neck pain.

The condition often occurs with back pain, and the symptoms are similar. Symptoms of neck pain may include spasm, stiffness, muscle discomfort, limitation of movement and headaches. Neck pain can occur suddenly (acute) or be constant (chronic); an acute injury, if left untreated in the hope that it shall repair itself can lead to loss of movement and debilitating pain.

Massage is a non invasive alternative to prescription medication commonly used for treating neck pain. Massage is used to relieve muscle tension that has built up within the body plus reduces stress with a hand manipulation of the affected muscles and other soft tissues. Although massage affects the whole body, it is especially therapeutic for the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems.

A combination of techniques, performed by an experienced massage therapist, will provide pain relief and help your recovery. The types of massage that are frequently adopted to relieve the symptoms of neck pain include Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point and Shiatsu.

Swedish massage is an term used for many types of massage therapy techniques where there is a need to release tension using applied pressure of the hand to the muscles at the surface. This type of massage may be helpful in reducing emotional stress and tension that may add to your neck pain. This can also be referred to as a full body massage.

Deep tissue massage may be performed with Swedish massage to release tension from the deeper muscles and connective tissues in the neck and upper back. A massage involving deep tissue is much more intense as the pressure used by the massueur is harder as they focus on releasing scar tissue that can be the route of your neck discomfort.

The method of Trigger point therapy makes use of steady pressure of the hand in order to release neck muscle spasms and stimulate blood flow to the affected area to aid the body's healing. Specific points or knots in muscles are located and released that often are the source of referred pain from the shoulder and back to your neck.

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage in which the practitioner uses his or her body weight to gradually press acupressure points. By palpating, or feeling, the network of vessels through which your energy flows (meridians), the Shiatsu practitioner will be able to feel and simultaneously adjust the flow of energy ("Ki") in your body.