Exercises for neck pain can help many individuals control their neck pain. However, before starting any type of neck pain exercises, always consult your medical practitioner or physical therapist because such actions could further aggravate your neck pain. Also, if you have a serious underlying condition or other medical problems, seek medical advice first before starting neck exercises. Performing a range of full movement, motion exercises on a daily basis is a good way to stretch your neck muscles, prevent stiffness, and help control the pain in your neck. Moreover, it could help you regain some loss of neck movement, maintain or increase your neck’s range of motion, and reduce or control the pain. For people suffering from chronic and debilitating neck pain, simple motion neck pain exercises may help you tolerate more activity or help with the mobility your neck, but are not always effective in combating or reducing neck pain.
To get the maximum results from neck pain exercises, do them on a regular basis for a set number of times per day, and keep the movements steady and slow. Moving too quickly or in a herky-jerky motion when doing your neck pain exercises can cause neck strain and pain instead of reducing them.
Stretching neck pain exercises work well for preserving or restoring your neck’s motion range. A neck bending exercise starts by holding your head and neck in a neutral position, lowering your chin to try to touch your chest, and holding this position for a few seconds. With each exercise, breathe in slowly and exhale gradually to relax your back and neck muscles. Neck tilting is another of the many good neck pain exercises. Start by tilting your head to the left trying to touch your shoulder with your ear while using your fingertips on your left hand to apply pressure to your temple. After a few seconds of holding this position, return to center and repeat but this time tilting your head to the right. With neck rotation exercises, slowly turn your head right. Use your fingertips to put tension or pressure on your chin. After a few seconds, return to center and repeat the exercise going to the left this time.
Do not do these neck pain exercises if you suffer from a pinched neck nerve unless of course, the doctor recommended it. Although these exercises may help improve your pinched nerve symptoms, they can also increase the pain and do damage if started too soon after an accident or injury. Along with neck pain exercise, maintain good posture by keeping your shoulders back and holding your head up.
