How to relieve muscle spasms in the neck and shoulder at home using things you learned in PT

If you’ve had a muscle spasm before, you know how painful it can be and why most people do their best to avoid them. On average, about 60% of adults have reported experiencing muscle spasms on occasion. Most people aren’t aware that physical therapy can help with muscle spasms. Not only this, but a physical therapist can give you techniques to help yourself at home. Keep reading to learn more about how you can take some of the physical therapist’s treatment methods home with you to relieve muscle spasms in the neck and shoulder.

3 ways to relieve muscle spasms in the neck and shoulder at home

Each of the methods listed below is something that you likely have or will learn about during physical therapy. You can take these tips and apply them even while you’re in the comfort of your own home.

1. Do neck and shoulder stretches — Your therapist has likely taught you that it’s important to stretch your muscles, especially after experiencing muscle spasms. If your spasm occurs in the neck or the shoulders, it can be helpful to remember to stretch them before and after any exercise and a few times each day just to increase flexibility and release tension in the muscles.

2. Perform manual manipulation — Performing manual manipulation on yourself is another great way to help reduce the risk of future muscle spasms. It can help by loosening soft tissue and muscle and reducing tension in the muscles that may be contributing to the spasms.

3. Build your neck and shoulder strength — Through regular exercise, you can build your neck and shoulder muscles so that they are able to withstand rigorous activity. It’s important to slowly build strength to avoid overuse or strain, which is one of the common causes of spasming.

Schedule an appointment with us to help relieve your neck and shoulder muscle spasms

Staying mobile is a great way to prevent issues with your neck and shoulder spasming. We know that regular movement can sometimes be difficult to stay on top of. The physical therapists at Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy can guide you toward active recovery so that you can relieve your neck and shoulder muscle spasms. We want to help you improve your quality of life and prevent the effects of lingering pain and injury.

If you or a loved one is experiencing muscle spasms that are affecting your daily life, contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.