Let's Talk About Your Neck: How Deep Tissue & Myofascial Release Unlock Strength and Recovery
- Sandy Cole-Cross
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
Your neck probably needs more love than you realize.
Why? Because whether you’re grinding through a CrossFit WOD, sitting at a desk all day, or stressing about life, your neck is one of the first places your body holds tension. And here’s the kicker—tightness in your neck doesn’t just stay in your neck. It bleeds into your shoulders, your breathing, your posture, and yes, even your performance in the gym.
I’ve been doing deep myofascial and deep tissue work for over 14 years, and one of my favorite areas to dig into is the neck. Not “light rubs,” not “spa fluff,” but intentional, deep work that’s about mobility, recovery, and getting your body back to moving the way it was designed to.
Deep Tissue on the Neck: Not Just About Pain
Deep tissue isn’t about “how much pain can you take.” It’s about accessing the deeper muscle layers that are stuck, tight, and limiting you.
When I work deeply into the neck, I’m targeting muscles like your traps, scalenes, sternocleidomastoid (say that three times fast), and even those little suboccipitals at the base of your skull. These guys play a huge role in:
How far you can turn your head,
How open your shoulders feel under a bar, and
Whether that tension headache keeps ruining your day.
When they’re locked up, so is your movement. When they’re released, your whole chain opens up.
Myofascial Release: Freeing Up the Web
Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps around everything in your body—muscles, bones, organs. When it’s tight, it’s like wearing a shirt that’s two sizes too small.
Deep myofascial release in the neck creates space. It’s not just about loosening a muscle—it’s about getting the fascia to let go so your neck (and shoulders, and even your breath) can move with less restriction.
One of the biggest shifts I see in clients after neck fascia work? Breathing. Deeper, smoother, easier. That alone changes your performance in workouts and your recovery afterward.
Why Athletes Should Care About Neck Work
Here’s the truth: if your neck is tight, your body compensates.
You might not notice it until:
Your overhead lifts feel shaky,
Your shoulders round forward under fatigue,
Or your grip starts failing because the nerves in your neck and shoulder are irritated.
Deep neck work resets the system. More mobility in your neck = more stability through your shoulders and back. It’s all connected.
This isn’t just for “people with desk jobs.” If you’re an athlete pushing limits, your neck is a hidden key to better performance and fewer injuries.
What to Expect from Deep Neck Work
Not gonna lie—it’s not always a walk in the park. Neck work can feel intense. I can attest to this. But here’s how I describe it: delicious discomfort.
That means:
A productive ache that starts strong but eases after 10–15 seconds,
Release that feels like a weight coming off your shoulders,
Sometimes even tension headaches disappearing mid-session.
And yes—sometimes it takes a few sessions to break through the layers of protection your body has built up. That’s not failure—it’s part of the process.
I also have a 15 minute youtube class that just might help you with your neck mobility:
Final Thoughts
Your neck isn’t just “tight.” It’s a gateway to strength, posture, and recovery. Deep tissue and myofascial release in this area aren’t about crushing you—they’re about giving you back the mobility and freedom that stress, workouts, and life keep stealing.
So yeah, next time you’re on my table, let’s talk about your neck.
Your lifts, your breath, and your body will thank you.
Get on my table and let's work on your neck
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