Neck Stiffness -- Is this normal?

[LizT]

Hi, folks --

I've been t-tapping for about 5 weeks now (15.25 inches lost as of today -- yippee!), and I have to say, my neck feels as though it's getting stiffer and stiffer. It hurts to turn it from side to side, and I have VERY limited range of motion. I am 55, and have some arthritis, but I was hoping to get MORE flexible, not less, with t-tapping. Any suggestions?

Liz

[CindyOH]

It's very interesting that you brought this topic up. I am having the same problem and I was wondering if it is because I am very "trap tight".

My neck has never felt stiffer and at night I have to crunch my pillow up under my neck.


Cindy

[brngckn]

Ensure that you are keeping ears aligned with shoulders and lats back and down. Reset if you catch anything slipping out of alignment.

Kirsten, Senior Trainer
the Travelin' T-Tapp Trainer from Texas
Success story: www.t-tapp.com/success/kirstentucker/default.asp
Website & Training Schedule: www.boxofpolkadots.com/ttapp.html
~ Certified in Total Workout, MORE, Hit the Floor, LadyBug & Yes You Can ~

[meanderwithme]

I'm a tight-trap kind of girl, and since I've been doing T-Tapp, my neck gets stiff regularly, simply because I'm using muscles that otherwise were being neglected.

During the day, I turn verrrrrry slowwwwwly from side to side, then tilt a few times, again slowly. Also, I try to work shoulder rolls in as often as I can, and that seems to help.

One other trick I learned from a chiropractor is to massage the pectoralis minoris (I think that's the name?), the part of the pec muscle that extends up toward the shoulder. He said that mine are extraordinarily tight and bunchy, and from there, the traps tend to get tighter, and the neck stiff. Gently poke a finger along the top/outer part of that muscle until you find a tender spot. Press on that spot with just a pound or so of pressure, and inhale/exhale a few times. Find the next tender spot and repeat.

Over the past week or two, I've been doing a little of the daily, and slowly, it's becoming more easy/natural for me to keep my shoulders back.

Not sure if that'll help you, but it sure has me!

~~~~~
Allison
Santa Fe, NM
just keep tapping...
workout calendar

[niecy]

While in PBS with the hands clasped behind the back, try this. Inhale, lift your shoulders up toward your ears. Exhales and use the muscles that pull the shoulder blades down, the lats, and think to push your shoulders down and away from your ears.
The tendency in the beginning is to tighten the traps. The neck and shoulder area. As you start to connect and engage the lats more, you will reduce the traps from taking over.

Denise
T-Tapp Trainer - Illinois
http://flowerchild.us


If you can't make time for your health, you will have to make time for illness. - Marilu Henner