neck pain

NECK STIFFNESS & NECK EXERCISES

If you have neck stiffness you want to get rid of it as soon as you can. One of the ways to do that is through exercise. As long as your doctor says it’s OK, you should start as soon as possible to ease stiffness and pain. Resting for too long, usually anything more than a couple of days, will make it harder to get moving again.

Don’t exercise if you have severe neck pain or weakness in your hands or arms. If you get it while you exercise, stop right away and call your doctor.

Which Exercises Should to do?

Neck Tilt: From the sitting position, tilt your head down towards your chin Hold this position for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat. Do this five times.

Side-to-Side Neck Tilt. From the same starting position, tilt your neck toward one shoulder, leading with your ear. Hold for 5 seconds and then return to the starting position. Do this five times on each side.

Neck Turn. Look straight ahead, then turn your head to one side, keeping your chin at the same level. Do this five times on each side.

Neck Stretch. Holding the rest of your body straight, push your chin forward, stretching your throat. Hold for 5 seconds. From the same starting position, push your chin backward and hold for 5 seconds. Do the forward and backward stretch five times each.

If any of these exercises cause severe pain or weakness in your hands or arms, stop right away and talk with your doctor. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/neck-pain-and-stiff-neck/

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neck pain

4 SIMPLE EXERCISES THAT CAN HELP EASE NECK PAIN AND NECK STIFFNESS

Most cases of neck pain get better on their own within few weeks. Bed rest for more than a couple of days makes it harder to get going, so make sure you stay active. Gradually increase your normal activities and do the following exercises:

  • (1) Neck Tilt: From the sitting position, tilt your head down so your chin touches your chest, if you are able to. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat. Do this five times.
  • (2) Side-to-Side Neck Tilt. From the starting position, tilt you neck toward one shoulder, leading with your ear. Hold for 5 seconds and then return to the starting position. Do this five times on each side.
  • (3) Neck Turn. Look straight ahead, then turn your head to one side, keeping your chin at the same level. Do not over strain. Do this five times on each side.
  • (4) Neck Stretch. Holding the rest of your body straight, push your chin forward, stretching your throat. Hold for 5 seconds. From the same starting position, push your chin backwards and hold for 5 seconds. Do the forward and backward stretch five times each.

If any of the exercises above cause severe pain or weakness in your hands or arms, stop right away and talk with your doctor. Your neck pain should ease within 2 weeks. Full recovery should take 4-6 weeks. As your neck starts feeling better, you can do more repetitions on each of the exercises above. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/flexibility-exercises/