No one thinks that they are going to be the ones that suffer from a wrinkled, sagging neck that you spy other people sporting. However, if you are not careful, an ancient, sagging neck may be heading your way long before you have the face to match it. Taking a little time out of your day to pamper your neck can keep it youthful and delectable for many years to come.

Many women do not realize that their necks need just as much care and attention as their faces do. They spend countless hours and dollars caring for their faces, using the best creams and serums while letting their necks age and sag. They do not realize that the face and the neck are one complete package that need equal care.

Here are a few simple exercises that you can do to keep your neck looking sexy and youthful:

1. Keeping the neck straight

Keeping your chin down towards your chest or sitting in weird positions for long periods of time will eventually lead to fine line and sagging. Instead, take a lesson out of My Fair Lady and keep your chin high and your neck straight. Proper posture like this will keep your neck looking good.

2. Treat your neck like you treat your face

Whatever kind of skin care treatments that you give your face, make sure that you do the same to your neck also. For example, if you apply a facemask, put it on your neck as well. Give both your face and your neck massages, and keep them clean. Generally, treat both as equals so that  they might age gracefully and both look good.

3. Strength training

Doing strength training exercises will not only help you chest, legs, and arms, it will also help your neck by strengthening and toning the neck muscles. Exercising and keeping your whole body in shape will also keep your neck supple and young looking.

4. Neck Stretches

Neck stretching exercises will help keep you neck flexible, supple and young looking. Sit or stand up straight and turn your head to the right, hold for 30 seconds and then turn to the left. Do this three times.

5. Keep the neck supple

Sit at the edge of the bed. Keep your head lowered then move it slowly upward.  Hold it for ten seconds then lower it again. Repeat this three more times.

There are several traditional stiff neck remedies developed by the Chinese that are easy to do and happen to be highly effective at alleviating that stiff neck of yours. The first one is a simple self massage that helps warm and loosen your neck muscles relieving the stiffness and the pain. The second technique that I will talk about utilizes a spoon and a few drops of oil to stimulate the blood flow to the neck, shoulders, and upper back. It is an alarmingly simple technique that provides almost instantaneous relief for your stiff neck.

Stiff neck Technique 1: Neck Massage

Like Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid, rub your hands together in a brisk manner, warming them up, charging them with energy. Now interlock your fingers and place your palms on the back of your neck, then rub your neck from side to side for several minutes, feeling the penetrative heat entering your neck muscles. Repeat this process several times a day.

You can also just use the fingers of your one hand to rub your neck  in firm even strokes. Rub from the base of the skull to the bottom of your neck, making sure you rub both sides of your neck, targeting any painful or tender spots. This method is also great as a preventative measure also. As soon as you feel yourself getting any kind of stiffness or pain in the neck, rub it to relax and loosen your neck muscles.

Stiff neck technique 2: Skin Scraping

This is a simple Chinese home remedy that is easy to learn and works wonders on a stiff neck. However, it does require someone else’s help since it is almost impossible to do it to your own neck, You are going to need a spoon (or a small tin lid) along with a few drops of oil (massage oil, sesame oil, even vicks vapor rub).

First: Have the one with the stiff neck to sit down, removing any clothing or whatnot that is covering the neck, and tying up any long hair.

Second: Apply a few drops of oil to one side of the back neck, lightly lubricating the skin. Try not to use too much oil or the spoon will slip and slide.

Third: Standing behind the person, take the spoon and use its edge to start scraping the neck in long even strokes. Scrape from the base of the skull, down the neck, and across the top of the shoulder, pressing as hard as you can without causing any excess pain. After 30 to 50 strokes, the skin will start tuning red and you might see lots of tiny red, dark red, purple, or black spots. These spots are caused by stagnant blood in the muscles, and the general rule is that the darker the spots, the more pain and stiffness a person is experiencing in their neck.  Scraping the neck with the spoon helps release this stagnant blood residing in the neck muscles, improving circulation and giving immediate relief.

Fourth: Repeat the second and third steps to the other side of the neck, and then work the upper back and the shoulder blades if the person is feeling tension in these areas also.

Fifth: If a person starts feeling dizzy at any time, have them lie down and take slow deep breaths.

Sixth: The spots may take several day to a week to fade, depending on the color. Once the spots have completely faded and if the person is still suffering from a stiff neck, redo the treatment. One to three scraping over a period of several weeks is usually what it takes  to relieve most neck problems involving muscular tension, stiffness and pain.

While this technique seems alarmingly simple, do not be fooled. It works wonders, providing instant relief from a stiff neck. It may possibly be the only neck pain remedy that you ever need,

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