Neck Exercises
Does Exercising The Neck Help?
Yes it certainly does. I can vouch for them.
As I was going through therapy for my shoulder, the doctor said that my neck had very little movement side to side. In fact he told me that if I didn't do something about it, I might lose all movement in the near future. He was very concerned that I was driving and couldn't move my head to see traffic off to the side.
They began stretching me on a machine each visit and gave me some exercises to do that would loosen up the muscles.
I began to feel more movement, but then my visits ended. I was at a loss about what to do. I had shoulder exercises that would make my shoulders better, but my neck still needed lots of work.
I did tons and tons of research, started a program of my own and in a year, I had very good movement. I continue to do my exercises 5 days a week and everything is better. My neck is no longer sore, my head doesn't droop and I have good movement side to side.
I want to share my program with you in hopes that you will also see vast improvement in your movement and pain.
Take Good Care Of Your Neck
A little effort goes a long way
If you stretch each day and do a few neck exercises, your overall ability to move will improve and neck pain will diminish.
Always Warm Up First
When doing any form of exercise, you should always do some warm up exercises. If you don't, you run the risk of tearing or straining a muscle. That is why all sports teams spend up to an hour warming up before any contest or practice session. I have learned over time that my body is very stiff and requires a lot of warming up.
Here is what I do to get my neck muscles warmed up so I can continue with my neck exercises. Without this warm up, my muscles strain and I can't get a good workout.
Sitting upright, with good posture, in a chair:
1. Slowly turn my head from left to right and back 5 times. Don't strain, just turn to the point where it gets hard to move.
2. Starting with my chin down toward my chest, move my head up an back then back down 5 times. Don't strain.
3. With my head in a neutral position looking forward, I angle my head to the upper left then down to the lower right then back to neutral. Do this 5 times.
4. Same as in number 3, except go to upper right then lower left. 5 times.
5. With my head level looking to the left, I do an upper half moon circle to the right then back again. Do Not do a complete circle, only half. 5 times
6. With my head level looking to the left, I do a lower half moon circle to the right and then back again. Only half a circle not a complete circle. 5 times
This should be enough warm up, if not repeat the six exercises.
Here Are Some Other Warm Up Exercises
After Warming Up, Do Neck Exercises
Now that you are warmed up let's do the neck strengthening exercises.
Still sitting in your chair:
- With head in neutral position look to the left until you feel that you can't look any farther, then try to go a little further. Continue to try and move further to the left and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
- Same as exercise 1, but do it to the right.
- With your head in an upright position, try to move your left ear to your left shoulder. Continue to try and move toward the shoulder and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
- Same as exercise 3, but do it to the right.
- Same as exercise 1, but use your right hand to push the head farther left. Be gentle but continue to push as you relax your neck. Do this for 10 seconds, 5 times.
- Same as exercise 5, but to the right using your left hand.
What others have to say
Who Does Neck Exercises?
view quiz statisticsMore After Warm Up Neck Exercises
What Are The Benefits Of Exercising The Neck
Doing Exercises
| Not Doing Exercises
| Doing Sometimes
|
|---|---|---|
No more sore neck
| Sore neck
| Some relief
|
Flexibility
| Not flexible
| A little flexible
|
Better posture
| Droopy head
| A little better posture
|
If your neck hurts, you have bad posture and you have a hard time looking to either side, you need to do neck exercises.
Your Neck Looks Better When Exercised
Eat Anti-inflamatory Foods
One thing a lot of people neglect is the type of food they eat. Not just the type of food, but also the amount of food they consume during the day.
In today's society it is the norm to eat fast food, processed food and restaurant food. Basically, this type of eating is contrary to the needs of our bodies.
If you have any kind of ailment, those foods could cause more pain and more inflammation. If you have a great deal of inflammation in your body your joints will hurt, you will find it hard to continue to do the things you normally do and you most likely will gain weight.
By doing most of your own cooking you can eliminate many of the foods that are harmful to you and you can include many more of the most beneficial foods, such as vegetables.
If you eat less processed foods like white bread and most breakfast cereals,you will be off to a good start. Basically anything that comes in a box is a processed food.
Cutting our all fast food can bring great benefits by eliminating inflammation.
By watching what you eat and doing your neck exercises on a daily basis, you will soon notice much greater flexibility and less soreness.
To Sum It All Up
Keep in mind these important points about doing neck exercises
- Always warm up first
- Don't strain your muscles
- Try to do your exercises at least 5 times a week
- If you get sore, try heat or massage on the sore point
- Neck exercises can only be beneficial if you do them
- Eat correctly to eliminate inflammation in your body
