Question
What are some good exercises/stretches I can do to help with the stiffness?  I sit all day at a desk job and my neck can get pretty tight and painful.  

Answer
Dear Steve,

First, stop thinking in terms of stretches and think in terms of getting enough control of your neck muscles to be able to relax them.

Stretching won't help, in the long run, and sometimes they cause muscles to get tighter.

Secondly, check your working posture.  If you sit with head forward, muscles are bound to tighten up and get sore.  Handle the ergonomics of your work and sit upright.  Take sensible breaks.

There are exercises in several somatic education programs that can help:  The Magic of Somatics (book), The Cat Stretch (audio CD set), The New Seated Refreshment Exercises (audio CD).  For descriptions, visit somatics.com/page7.htm.

Also, to correctly understand the condition you are working with, see somatics.com/page4.htm (articles of explanation)

with regard,
Lawrence Gold