Stretching For Neck Flexibility!

Keeping the neck muscles loose and limber is important for neck motion.  Just like any other muscle in the body, we also don't want extreme pain and stiffness.
Here's a doctor showing us a great neck stretch you can easily do.

Many of us sit at a desk, on a computer, most of the day.  Having some neck stretches we can do without even leaving your work station can be extremely valuable.


Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief.


Additional Reading:
1. More Neck Stretches
2. Neck Stretches to Do At Work
3. How To Stretch Guide
4. All-In-One Neck Stretch
5. Fast & Easy Pain Reducing Stretches
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“I fell asleep on the Couch, now my Neck is Killing me!”

Neck Pain While Watching TV

What happened is that you strained your neck. It’s best to sleep with your spine in it’s normal position; that is, when on your side, your head should be level, when on your back you spine should not be tilted, but have a little curvature when looking form the side.

What tends to happen on the couch is that your head is propped up on pillows, or it’s cranked to the side or something similar. Most people fall asleep by accident on the couch, usually watching TV.

The same may go for watching TV in bed. I recommend not having a television in the bedroom. The same thing tends to happen in bed; you end up falling asleep in an awkward position, or you’re sitting up and your neck falls to the side.

With the neck muscles constantly stretched from your neck being in a bad position over an extended period of time, you are almost guaranteed to strain the neck.


Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief. Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!

What You Should Know About Stretching Your Neck Muscles

There are a variety of reasons why stretching your neck is good for your body. Whether it is before an exercise program, as part of a rehabilitation program, or simply a way to relax your body, stretching your neck muscles is highly beneficial. It helps to prevent injury or re-injury during and after workouts. However, if done incorrectly, stretching can do more harm than good. The following is a list of things to remember when doing your stretching routine:

1. Perform your stretches slowly, and fluidly. Don’t jerk your muscles.

2. Hold each stretch for 10-20 seconds.

3. Perform each stretch 3-5 times.

4. Stretch until you feel a pulling sensation in the neck muscle you’re targeting. Do not push yourself to the point you feel burning, tearing, or pain of any kind.

5. Stop immediately if you do feel any neck pain.

6. If you are unsure about a stretch, ask your doctor for a demonstration to make sure you are doing it correctly.

Stretching is a great way to keep your muscles safe and relaxed before and after a workout, while on the computer at home or at work, during a break from a long drive, even a stressful situation. It’s also a great way to warm up your body after first waking up. However, it’s important to always make sure you are taking your time and performing each neck stretch correctly so you won’t injure yourself.


Visit Arc4life.com for your online selection of cervical support neck pillows, orthopedic pain relief products and Home traction units. Products for pain relief. Bookmark this on Delicious Stumble It!

Sally and her stiff neck: Solutions for neck pain relief

My friend Sally was experiencing right sided neck pain. She could not bring her right ear to her right shoulder, or turn her head from sided to side. She had tried heat and even a neck massager, but nothing worked.

Solution: It appears that Sally has a muscle sprain/strain- she has pain in the neck plus decrease in range of motion in lateral flexion. She could have slept incorrectly, done repetitive motions (for example typing for a prolonged period of time) with her head in an awkward position, jerked her head in a uncomfortable way---- many many things that could have caused this. One solution would be try to take a hot shower and do some gentle stretches with her neck specifically: forward flexion (bringing her chin to her chest), bending her head to each side, and extending her head back. Sally should not do these to the point of pain- only to the point of feeling a stretch. Also, she should try to use biofreeze natural pain relieving gel for the muscle spasms in her neck. Finally, she should get a good cervical support neck pillow for sleeping so that she can sleep with her head and neck properly supported- try a traction pillow.

Exercises for the Neck - Strengthening

Exercises specifically for strengthening the neck muscles are also called Isometric exercises. Isometric exercise is a type of exercise involving the static contraction of a muscle without any visible movement in the angle of the joint. In simple terms this means that in these exercises the length of the muscle does not change. As you continue to do these strengthening exercises for the cervical spine you will gain strength in your neck. Over time you should be able to increase the force and number of times you are able to perform the exercises. Here are 4 simple exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles in your neck:

1. Press your palms against your forehead and push against each other, resisting motion. Hold this position for 5 seconds and repeat this exercise 3 times.














2. With this next cervical strengthening exercise place your hand against the side of your head. Try to bring to your ear to your shoulder, resisting the motion. Repeat this exercise on the other side. Hold each position for 5 seconds and when finished relax slowly.















3. Cup both hands against the back of your head. Attempt to push your head back, resisting the motion. Hold this position for 5 seconds, and when finished relax slowly.
4.
In the final cervical strengthening exercise, put your right hand against the right temple. Attempt to turn your chin to your right shoulder, resisting the motion. Repeat this on the left side. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax slowly. Do this neck exercise 3 times.
Read Stretching Exercises for the Neck here.



NJ
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