The Benefits of Stretching

In my opinion stretching is one of the most beneficial things a person can do to help themselves physically. I routinely equate it to ‘brushing your teeth’ when talking to patients. It’s so important to keep our bodies moving, and stretching our muscles daily can help with this. Following is a simple stretch I encourage everyone to perform for their neck. I would do this a minimum of 2 times a day. It shouldn’t take more than 2 minutes to complete.

Cervical Stretch

This is good general stretch for your neck. This exercise stretches the neck in the 6 directions of range of motion.
To begin, place your hand on the back of your head and pull your head forward bending your chin towards your chest. Then place your hand on the front of your head and push your head backwards. Next place your right arm over the top of your head putting your hand onto the left side of your head and pull your head down towards your right shoulder. Next place your left arm over the top of your head putting your hand onto the right side of your head and pull your head down towards your left shoulder. Next place your left hand on the left side of your head just above the temple and push your head so that it turns to the right. Lastly place your right hand on the right side of your head just above the temple and push your head so that it turns to the left. Hold each of these stretches for 10 seconds and do each one 2 times.