Neck Release Relieves Painful Muscles & Neck Related Headaches

Neck release allows relaxation of tight muscles that can cause neck pain and headaches. It is specific for the area connecting the cervical spine and skull and is very effective.

Based on a technique called occipital release to simulate exact finger position done manually to allow tension to release from the muscles of the upper neck and skull; a very relaxing experience.

We have reviewed specific neck muscle pain due to strain. This can often be due to tension that results in neck pain as well as tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches. Other cases are from poor postural ergonomics often resulting in a forward head posture that compresses this area that is rich in nerves and blood vessels.

Sub-occipital release or inhibitive distraction is a release technique I used for headaches and tmj problems as a general relaxation and therapeutic measure. It really feels great, but can be a bit discomforting at first. If you have a headaches, when you first lie down on this, it might be a little painful and even increase the headache a bit. This is a good sign and it usually eases up quickly.

You can move around if you want to find the tightest or most tender areas. You can use it flipping it around with a rolled up towel to make it more stable. You can start with a couple minutes, but be careful, some fall asleep.

So, it has many benefits including pain relief, relaxation and postural restoration. A 2016 study in the Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology found that adding sub-occipital release to the specific deep cervical flexor exercise provided superior benefits to the exercise alone for subjects with forward head posture. The study found the neck release technique to relax the sternocleidomastoid, anterior scalene, and splenius capitis muscles as well.

A 2007 Pilot study in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy were testing mainly for improvements in neck range of motion and found potential subgroups that benefited more from this technique. The most beneficial patients were those with chronic pain with headaches, lower pain levels, and less active range of motion.

A 2018 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that adding this suboccipital soft tissue inhibition to myofascial trigger point therapies and stretching improved the outcome of migraine headache treatment related to impact and disability.

The cervical tool provides release with gentle cervical traction and self-mobilization.

It takes time to slowly re-posture the spine and the soft tissues like muscles and ligaments. This is designed to expedite this process and encourage restoration of normal function. For pain or chronic tension the fingertips come in contact with tense areas of the neck creating an acupressure effect which releases tension.