Tight Neck and Shoulders After Sinus Surgery? You’re Not Alone
Can Sinus Surgery Affect Your Neck and Shoulders?
Welcome to Jenny’s world.
Several years ago, she had sinus surgery to repair a deviated septum. The results weren’t quite what she’d hoped, so she went through a second procedure recently. This time, it worked! Her breathing finally improved.
But her muscles didn’t get the memo.
Her neck and shoulders remained painfully tight, affecting her posture and comfort — especially since her job requires leaning forward much of the day.
That’s when I invited her in to explore whether something deeper might be going on — and how the Bridging® Technique might help.
When Facial or Dental Surgery Affects More Than You Expect
Like Jenny, many people assume that the effects of facial or dental procedures are limited to the face. But there’s often a ripple effect throughout the body — especially in the neck and shoulders.
Here are some common factors that contribute to lingering muscle stress after surgery:
- Head positioning during the procedure — especially when held off-center for long periods—can fatigue muscles and disrupt their coordination.
- Forces used during the surgery, including pulling or side-to-side pressure, may strain the jaw, neck, or upper back.
- Anesthesia-related muscle disruption, related to the actual IV insertion, not the drug, is often unnoticed. However, the trauma to the arm can leave arm and shoulder muscles tight or sore — especially when compounded by previous blood draws or infusions.
In Jenny’s case, head positioning and procedural force were the key disruptors.
Case Study: Jenny’s Sinus Surgery Recovery
In this short YouTube video (below), Jenny describes how her head was positioned during surgery. This led to muscle stress between the front and back of her neck.
Using Bridging, we gently supported her head in the same angle where the muscles had “given up” coordinating — helping them reset and reengage.
We also addressed the facial muscle tension around her nose, calming it with light support and subtle movement. This reset her muscle coordination — and her relief was immediate.
Yes, it really can be that simple.
Case Study: After Jenny’s Sinus Repair
Like most things, a picture is worth a thousand words.
In this video from a session two months after surgery, you see how we:
- Check for key micromovement transitions and flows that are stuck or asymmetric
- Reset the muscle relationships impacted by the surgery
How Bridging Helps Post-Surgical Recovery
The Bridging® Technique focuses on how your muscles are working together — and how procedures may have disrupted that balance. By identifying the exact area and direction of disruption, we provide just the right support to restore coordination, reduce tension, and ease pain.
Still Feeling Tight After a Past Procedure?
If you’ve had neck, jaw, facial, or sinus procedures — whether recently or years ago—and still feel tight or uncomfortable, there’s a good chance your muscle coordination is still disrupted.
Bridging may be the missing piece. Most people feel tangible improvements in 2–3 sessions, with a follow-up to fine tune function as you return to your usual activities.