Exercise of the Month – November – Neck Strengthening and Stability

Before you start these neck exercises it is important to remember that a happy neck sits on top of a happy mobile thorax (ribcage). Therefore you may want to also do some thoracic mobility drills too. There are some examples on the website in the free video page.  https://pro-align.com.au/lifestyle/videos/

Tension and strain in the neck area is a very common complaint. With more and more of us spending so much time sitting this situation will only get worse. Looking at the VDU, ipad and phone is leading to an increase in neck problems, there is even a ‘texters neck syndrome’!

The exercises this month have been picked to address both stretches and openers and then some stability work to strengthen the deep muscles at the front of the neck.  ( Very similar to the abdominal core). Sitting and craning at a screen, traffic or the TV can lead these ‘neck core’ muscles to become weak and the more global muscles to overwork and feel tense. The head also then adopts a forward position which can lead to further neck strain and headaches.