When you go to the gym you’ll likely see individuals working out their legs, biceps, chest, and abs. Rarely will you come across someone working out his or her neck muscles. The muscles of the neck just seem like they really don’t need to be worked out and stretched, right? Well, it may seem that way, but it is far from the truth. Keeping the neck strong and flexible is of high importance, especially as you age or if you have a cervical (neck) spinal abnormality present, such as a herniated or bulging disc. Also, if you have recently had spine surgery in the cervical region, you may require a brief stint of physical therapy to ensure your neck heals properly. Below, we’ll explore a few of the exercises that are both performed as part of physical therapy regimens and used everyday by individuals to keep the neck strong and flexible.

Chin Tucks

Chin tucks are probably the easiest of the exercises listed here. This stretch can be performed seated, standing, or while lying on your side. All that it consists of is tilting the head downward so as to literally tuck the chin into the neck, and then return the head to an upright position. This exercise is designed to stretch and loosen the muscles in the back of the neck, where the spine is located. If you happen to feel pain, stiffness, tingling, or any other symptoms in this region of the neck, try performing a set of chin tucks to loosen up the muscles and see if that helps to reduce whatever you’re feeling.

Upper Trapezius Stretches

The upper trapezius stretch is actually a common stretch, but most people perform this stretch to loosen their arms. It certainly will help to do that, but it also helps to stretch and strengthen the neck muscles. To perform this exercise, reach your right hand over your head and situate it near your left ear. Then, use your right arm muscles to pull your head to the right for a few seconds before releasing it. After that, repeat the same process with your left hand, pulling your head to the left. As you may have guessed by now, this specific exercise is designed to stretch the muscles in the sides of the neck.

Scalene Stretches

Scalene stretches are also fairly common, but people typically perform these exercises with no intent of stretching or strengthening the neck. In general, these stretches are actually performed shortly after waking up in the morning or when a feeling of stiffness is experienced in the side of the neck. Essentially, the scalene stretch is an upper trapezius stretch that does not require any arm movement. Instead, the stretch is completed by merely tilting the head to either side, toward the shoulder, for a few seconds at a time. Tilting the head toward the right shoulder will work the muscles in the left side of the neck, while tilting the head toward the left shoulder will do the opposite.

Head Lifts

Head lifts may give chin tucks a run for their money as being the simplest type of stretch to perform in this list. Actually, head lifts are pretty much the inverse of chin tucks. Instead of tilting the head forward, so as to tuck the chin into the neck, head lifts are performed by slowly tilting the head backward in an effort to straighten the front of the neck before slowly returning to an at-rest position. This stretch will help to loosen and strengthen muscles both in the front and back of the neck, while also helping to increase range of motion for the head.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to physical therapy.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to physical therapy. http://www.spine-exercises.com/

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to physical therapy.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Physical Therapy, Neck, Stretching, Stretches