Neck Stretches for Stiff Neck

A stiff neck is usually experienced early in the morning while waking up in the bed. There are several causes that can lead to a stiff neck. It can be due to stress, wrong position of sleeping, injury, etc. These days, spending hours together in front of the computer is the most common reason for getting a stiff neck. Though a stiff neck is not a fatal or serious health problem, it causes too much discomfort and the neck aches a lot. A stiff neck can be either acute or chronic.

There are many remedies for a stiff neck that help to get rid of the pain and ache caused. These remedies include ice treatment, massage therapy, medications, exercises, etc. Neck stretches for stiff neck not only reduce the pain but also increase the flexibility and range of motion in the neck. Let us take a look at some useful neck exercises for stiff neck.

Easy Neck Stretches for Stiff Neck
Exercises for stiff neck are very easy to perform and are helpful in many ways. These exercises reduce the stress on the muscles and tendons present in the neck. Thus, they bring flexibility and also reduce the inflammation in the neck, if any. All these exercises are similar with their starting positions, it's just the direction of the head that differs. Given below are stretches for stiff necks.

Neck Tilt

• Stand in an upright position and keep your hands on your thighs.
• Now gently move your head towards your right shoulder.
• You can use your hand to assist the motion.
• Once you feel a stretch in the left side of your neck muscles, stop the motion.
• Hold the position of 10 - 15 seconds and then repeat the steps for left side.

Neck Extension

• Stand straight with shoulder-width apart distance between your feet.
• Keep your hand crossed on your buttocks.
• Slowly move your head in a backward direction facing towards ceiling.
• Once you feel a stretch in the frontal portion of your neck muscles, stop the motion.
• Hold your neck in this position for 10 - 15 seconds.

Neck Flexion

• Stand in a straight position and keep a shoulder-width distance between your feet.
• Place your hands on your buttock crossed to each other.
• Move down your head and look towards your toes.
• Your chin should touch upper part of your chest.
• Once you feel a stretch in the back of your neck muscles, stop the motion.
• Hold this position for 10 - 15 seconds.

Side Flexion

• Stand in an upright position.
• Now, keep your left hand on your left cheek and gently tilt your head towards right shoulder such that your right ear reaches your right shoulder.
• Once you feel a stretch in the left side of your neck muscles, stop the motion.
• Hold the position of 10 - 15 seconds and then repeat the steps for left side.

You can also perform the above given stretch exercises for stiff neck by sitting on a comfortable chair. Pay special attention to your breathing while performing these exercises. See to it that you keep your back in a straight position while doing the stretch exercises for stiff pain.

These neck stretches for stiff neck will relieve the pain and ache in the neck by loosening and strengthening the muscles in the neck. If stiff neck is a cause of chronic condition, then exercises may not help in relieving the pain. If you experience a prolonged stiff neck even after performing the exercises, consult a physician. The neck pain can be because of some other health problem too. You can avoid a stiff neck by sleeping in proper positions, taking enough breaks during stressful work routines, etc.