5 Stretches for Neck Pain

Did you know approximately 80% of Americans will experience neck and back pain at some point in their lives? Each year, people who suffer from chronic back and neck pain shell out more than $100 billion for medical bills, medications, and rehabilitation services.

However, whether the culprit is stress, an injury, or sore muscles, your neck might pain for various reasons. So to restore your cervical spine’s natural flexibility, we at Align Wellness Center recommend a series of specialized neck stretches intended to relieve pressure on nerve roots and alleviate neck pain.

We invite you to schedule a consultation with our chiropractor in Northbrook, IL today and read on to get better insights on the five key stretches for neck pain.

Levator Scapulae Stretch

The levator scapulae is a small muscle that attaches to the upper vertebrae of the neck. The best way to stretch this muscle is by lying face down on a table with your chin turned toward one side, then gently pulling your ear toward the opposite shoulder until you feel a comfortable stretch along your neck.

You should hold this position for about 30 seconds before gently repeating twice more on each side.

Chin Tuck

This is one of the basic yet effective necks stretches out there. For it to work best, you should start in a seated position, gently pull back on your head as far as you can comfortably go without tipping your head backward, and hold for about three seconds before relaxing back.

Head Rolls

Head rolls are a simple way to release your neck muscles. They’re a bit tricky to do at first, but once you get the hang of them, they’re relaxing and can be done practically anywhere.

Like the other stretches in this post, keep your head still and turn only from the neck. Sway your head back and forth for about ten seconds. Then drop your head toward one shoulder and then the other. Ultimately, make it slow and gentle enough.

Thoracic Foam Roll

This stretch targets the trapezius muscles, which often get tight when exposed to poor posture.

Start by positioning the foam roller perpendicular to your body, with your head supported by your hands laced behind it. Slowly roll forward until you find a sensitive spot. From here, engage your core and butt muscles so that you can move along the foam roller without letting your hips sag or rise.

Try to keep pressure on the foam roller as you go—don’t just move around without getting anything out of it.

Open Book

The push-ups begin with the exerciser lying on their side with knees bent and hands together directly in front of the chest.

Similarly, ensure you see your hands clearly as they move up towards the ceiling. Then rotate your upper back and chest simultaneously. Repeat this motion ten times and watch out for results.

Consult Our Chiropractor in Northbrook, IL for Neck Pain Treatment

At Align Wellness Center, we strive to make a difference in people’s lives. We love to helping our patients reach their wellness goals using chiropractic care. Our goal is to help improve your quality of life by removing interference from nerve pathways and restoring optimal mobility to joints.

We are located in Northbrook, IL. Schedule an appointment with us today!