With all this sitting and forward head position many of us experience neck pain, headaches, stiffness in the shoulders etc. Here are some helpful tips to try if you’re experiencing neck pain!
✅Set the chin back by tucking it into your neck. Then gently look up and down while keeping the chin gliding as close to your neck as possible. Repeat this 10x in each direction.
✅With the chin set, gently turn to the left and the right. You may notice one side is tighter than the other. Just go as far as your muscles will allow without adding any external pressure. Hold it for a few seconds at that end range and then turn back to the other side. Next time try to get slightly further than the previous time. Repeat 10x in each direction
❌DO NOT laterally flex (bringing your ear towards your shoulder) especially with extra pressure from your hand. This may feel like its “stretching” your neck but in reality we are often times exerting to much pressure in the neck in a very vulnerable position. It can actually start to make things worse.
❌DO NOT self adjust (“crack”) your own neck!!! I can’t stress this enough. It may feel like it relieves things at the time but most of the time you are actually creating more damage in the spine.
Dr. Alfredo is a health enthusiast who’s goal is to help people and families live healthier, happier lives. My philosophy on health is simple - our body’s have the amazing ability and potential to self-adapt, self-regulate and THRIVE in this world.