Doing exercises for the neck is extremely important. This includes stretching and strengthening. In fact, recent studies have shown that exercising in general plays a positive role in chronic pain. Having weak neck muscles can be a cause for certain painful conditions. It can contribute to such things as:
The neck exercises below combine range of motion (ROM) against light/partial resistance in 4 directions (forwards, backwards, and left side bending and right side bending). To do these correctly follow these instructions: Pretend that you are involved in an arm wrestling contest:
ALWAYS push the head into the hands, Make sure you move the head against resistance in BOTH directions, 3 times each (A-B then B-A x3; C-D then D-C x3) then, (E-F then F-E x3, and lastly, G-H then H-G, x3 reps).
It is very important to do these exercises VERY slowly (to build motor control and coordination) and to move through the entire “comfortable” range of motion. Repeat 3x slowly.
If pain worsens, lighten up on the amount of pressure used or, stop the movement just prior to the sharp pain onset. If you can’t make it to the end of the movement due to pain, make a note of how many reps it took before the onset or increase of pain and how far you could move your head. Do 3 slow reps and then move to the next exercise direction.
These neck strengthening exercises can be performed 1 to 3x/day, according to tolerance, and will increase ROM, increase strength, and build coordination, all at the same time.
Article Source: Dr.Bellinger’s Monthly Newsletter July 2009
Additional Resources:
- fatigue
- irritability
- headache
- sleep loss
The neck exercises below combine range of motion (ROM) against light/partial resistance in 4 directions (forwards, backwards, and left side bending and right side bending). To do these correctly follow these instructions: Pretend that you are involved in an arm wrestling contest:
- Push your head into your hand while moving the head to the end of the range, “…letting the head win” (See A, C, E, G).
- Repeat this going back in the opposite direction by “letting the hand win” (see B, D, F, H), again, moving through the entire range of motion.
ALWAYS push the head into the hands, Make sure you move the head against resistance in BOTH directions, 3 times each (A-B then B-A x3; C-D then D-C x3) then, (E-F then F-E x3, and lastly, G-H then H-G, x3 reps).
It is very important to do these exercises VERY slowly (to build motor control and coordination) and to move through the entire “comfortable” range of motion. Repeat 3x slowly.
If pain worsens, lighten up on the amount of pressure used or, stop the movement just prior to the sharp pain onset. If you can’t make it to the end of the movement due to pain, make a note of how many reps it took before the onset or increase of pain and how far you could move your head. Do 3 slow reps and then move to the next exercise direction.
These neck strengthening exercises can be performed 1 to 3x/day, according to tolerance, and will increase ROM, increase strength, and build coordination, all at the same time.
Article Source: Dr.Bellinger’s Monthly Newsletter July 2009
Additional Resources:
- Neck Exercises- Stretching and Strengthening; To Decrease Pain, increase mobility and range of motion of the neck spine
- Exercise for Neck Pain Works, Study Shows
- Can Forward Head Posture Cause Neck Pain?
- Head Retraction Exercises
- How to Prevent Neck Pain At Your Desk Job
- How to Choose the Right Neck Pillow for your Needs
