You wake up one morning with a very stiff neck. You figure you must have slept wrong and the pain will work itself out during the day.  

But after three weeks of increasing pain and stiffness, you also notice you are losing the ability to turn your head to do the simplest of things – like changing lanes while driving or looking at someone who is talking to you.

You’ve tried Aleve and muscle relaxants. They may take the edge off, but they do nothing to fix the problem. You know if you head to the doctors, they will order MRIs, which can’t be scheduled for another 4-6 weeks. Maybe your doctor will send you to physical therapy, as well. Weeks and months go by with no acceptable results. Your pockets may be a lot lighter from the co-pays – but it really does not help.

This is a very typical scenario for my clients who experience neck pain. Seems they just wake up with it one day, and it won’t leave them alone! One of my clients, Nancy (not her real name), is an avid tennis player. Her neck pain became so debilitating that she could no longer play and was having difficulty driving and even sleeping.

My initial assessment proved that her neck, shoulders, chest and back muscles were extremely tight. We agreed on a more aggressive schedule, as she was looking forward to returning to tennis. We began with three sessions per week, 60 minutes each, where I focused on stretching and massaging the tight muscles, primarily in the chest, arms, upper neck, and all along the spine. I advised her to also incorporate certain stretches daily.  She felt better after the first session – more relaxed and able to move with less effort.

After approximately six sessions, Nancy’s neck began to loosen up. Her muscles began to be more pliable and flexible, and she gained some increased mobility when turning her head. Her sleep improved and she felt more comfortable while driving. We backed down to two sessions per week, and her progress towards pain-free movement continued. After six more sessions, she began playing tennis again, easing back into the schedule. She also noticed that the tightness in her arms and shoulders was gone. Weekly maintenance massages helped her maintain her flexibility and enjoy a good night’s rest.

For less than the cost of MRI and Physical Therapy co-pays, and without any side effects from additional medications, my client is back to enjoying her active lifestyle. At 82, she also enjoys line dancing, yoga, Zumba, bike riding – and driving!

If you are experiencing neck pain, please don’t hesitate to call me to discuss your options for overcoming your condition through massage therapy.

About Vibrant Life Therapies
Vibrant Life Therapies, LLC,  located in Trexlertown, PA, offers massage therapy, exercise therapy, and nutritional counseling. Donna Ondek, owner, is a licensed Massage Therapist and certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Counselor. Donna specializes in and Rehabilitative and Medical Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Mastectomy and Oncology Massage.

To learn more, contact Donna via phone or text at (610)703-1596, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit VibrantLifeTherapies.com.

By combining your desire for and commitment to improved health and my knowledge of the body and passion for health, we can begin to help you experience a more Vibrant Life today!

Call (610) 703-1596 today to schedule an appointment.

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