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What is it for
The rolled-up towel under the neck works like a real upside which makes the cervical spine neutral or in line with the spine. The towel proves to be a great ally to perform all the breathing exercises that go to relieve tension in the cervical area. Placing it under the neck, the legs are bent and the abdomen is pushed upwards in the inhalation phase, while it contracts in the exhalation phase. In the same way, we try to send the breath up to the base of the neck, thus introducing, in addition to diaphragmatic breathing, also thoracic breathing.
With the towel on the neck it is possible to perform a specific exercise for the neck really effective. It is always performed from the supine position and the rolled towel is placed under the neck. With your hands you take the distal parts of the towel e you slowly pull your neck upwards, lifting it a few centimeters off the floor. The position is maintained for 4/5 seconds and the exercise is repeated 15/20 times.
Very often the towel also represents a faithful gym companion and is placed around the neck especially, letting the two final parts fall to the two pectorals, in the passage from one machine to another to avoid colds at the height of the neck or blows of air from sweaty / e. We recommend to maintain hygiene and not to use the same towel to put on the bike saddles or on the handlebars of some tools or on the benches.
3 curiosities about cervical pain
Let’s see together some aspects concerning cervical pain and which should be taken into account in order not to have to run for cover too late.
The neck on the plane
The air we breathe while we travel by plane recirculates continuously, especially if the journey corresponds to a long distance. The nozzle is located right above the head and the jet reaches in front of the paranasal and on the neck and nape area. If you forget to adjust or close the jet, it undergoes the default one which is not weak at all. Moreover, often the process to get to sit down is long and makes us sweat – especially if in summer – and we risk that the cold jet arrives while we have sweat on us.
Sometimes, when we land, we feel the whole body aching and often the global soreness is not only due to the air but also to the incorrect position that you take while you sleep. For this reason, even while traveling by plane, putting a towel under the neck helps a lot; they also exist specific headrests or inflatable cushions which relax the neck and keep it in the correct position. Highly recommended especially if you travel often or over long distances.
The vagus nerve and neck pain
At the level of the neck we have ours vagus nerve that “wanders” throughout the body, that is, it also regulates functions such as digestive ones, being in close correlation with the stomach and with the production of gastric acid. When dizziness, a sense of dizziness and disorientation occur among the cervical symptoms, it is possible that the nerve that starts from the skull base and goes to the digestive organs is affected by the total state of constant contracture going into hyperstimulation. Dissolve the sternocleidomastoid nerves with targeted exercises and supported by slow and deep breathing, relieving tension in the shoulder is very important in order not to stimulate the vagus nerve too much.
Wet hair and neck pain
We know that it is defined as an unwise action that, immediately after washing our hair, we go out with wet hair. If it is the winter season, surely it would be good to avoid in order not to run into colds and a lot changes if the hair is long or short of course. In general, if a person is healthy and does not suffer from stress or disorders such as herniated discs, he can go out in the hot season even with wet hair and maybe collected, if long.
Other remedies for neck pain
Not moving your neck for fear of inflammation becomes a quick way to go become rigid and make the situation worse. Sessions should be performed daily or at least twice a week mobilization of the cervical tract which include: flexion-extensions of the neck, lateral inclinations and rotations. All this must be done very slowly and with a long and calm breathing. The lateral neck stretches as long as you don’t force the position. The neck should be tilted from the right and left side with the help of the arm on the same side and maintained the position for 10-15 seconds. The movement should be repeated about 20 times for each side.
All of these exercises they can be carried out with the towel around the neck, for example by pulling it from the opposite side where the head is pulled (in lateral inclinations) or by pulling it with both hands upwards (in extensions) or towards the same side of the cervical rotation. These exercises they take a short time, they can also be performed from the sitting position and lead to an immediate reduction of symptoms in the case of persistent pain. Finally, they quickly restore the general amplitude to the movements of the neck. You can apply an optimal nourishing or decontracting oil before going to sleep or herbal gels to warm the area. In the meantime, it is also very good to do sessions with your trusted therapist from time to time to ease tensions on the entire upper part of the chest and also “lighten” the head, free the sternum and restore lightness to the trunk.
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