Maybe you woke up with a stiff neck. Maybe you felt your neck become rigid or strained gradually. Now that you’re dealing with neck tension or the pain that can come with it, it’s time to find a way to feel better. Read on to learn three physical therapy moves to help you move your neck comfortably again. If you need more help, you can rely on REPAIR SI for physical therapy or chiropractic care.
Encourage tense muscles to relax with gentle exercises
The tension in your neck may ease with a few gentle stretches. For relief, you can try these exercises:
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Head turns
Slowly turn your head so that your chin is above your shoulder. You should feel a gentle stretch on the other side of your neck. Hold this pose for two seconds; then turn your head to the other side and repeat the stretch.
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Neck bends
Face forward and gradually lower your chin toward your chest. Only drop your chin as far as is comfortable. You may feel the back of your neck stretching. You may feel your chin touch the center of your collarbones, depending on your neck’s mobility. Pause before raising your chin.
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Ear-to-shoulder stretches
Face forward and tilt your head to one side, lowering your ear toward your shoulder. Hold this position for a moment before raising your head slowly and repeating the exercise on your other side. For an additional stretch, you can raise your chin gently as if you were nodding while your ear is facing your shoulder.
Ease your neck tension in physical therapy from REPAIR SI
If your neck tension persists or recurs, physical therapy may help you get rid of the tension and keep it away. A REPAIR SI physical therapist can use many techniques to treat your neck, including manual therapy, postural training and the McKenzie Method®. This method focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of spinal difficulties.
Plus, a professional can provide treatments to alleviate neck pain like dry needling, manual therapy or class IV laser therapy.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.