Neck Stretches to Relieve Pain

Neck stretches are the best way to relieve pain by loosening and stretching the neck muscles and tendons. Neck pain can be caused because you sit at a desk all day, work for hours at a computer or maybe you have suffered neck injury due to some awkward movement. Exercises like neck stretches are very effective in curing this problem. For performing neck stretches to relieve pain, you just need a few minutes from your busy schedule. Let's learn some neck stretches that can be used to relieve neck pain and stiffness.

Best Neck Stretches and Exercises to Relieve Pain

Neck Stretches to Relieve Pain #1
This is one of the most effective neck stretches for stiff neck, as it helps relax the shoulders and the neck muscles. To perform this stretching exercise, shrug your shoulders, bring them above towards your ears as much as you can. Hold them tightly in this position for about 5 seconds. Now, holding this position tightly, rotate your shoulders back and then relax. While you rotate your shoulders back, you'll feel the stretch in the chest muscles. Perform 10 repetitions of this stretch for best results.

Neck Stretches to Relieve Pain #2
To begin this neck stretch, sit upright. Here are six different motions, in which you must stretch your neck for pain relief.

Left Rotation: Turn your head to your left side, your chin must be parallel to your shoulder. Hold this position for 10-15 seconds and relax.
Right Rotation: Turn your head to your right side, your chin must be parallel to your shoulder. Hold this position for 10-15 seconds and relax.
Neck Flexion: This movement ranges from chin to chest. Start by lowering your neck towards your chest, and hold the position for 10-15 seconds, before you relax.
Neck Extension: Start this stretch by lowering your neck backwards as far as you can. Here you have to move your head towards the back and hold for 10-15 seconds and then relax.
Left Lateral Flexion: Lower your left ear towards the left shoulder, hold for 10-15 seconds and relax.
Right Lateral Flexion: Lower your right ear towards the right shoulder, hold the position for 10-15 seconds and relax.

Neck Stretches to Relieve Pain #3
This is amongst the neck stretches for pain, which works on the neck and upper back muscles. To perform this stretch, move your arms out in front of you. Now, rotate your hands over each other, until your palms face each other. Bend over at the upper back, just like you are diving off the diving board. Remember to bring your chin towards your chest. Hold this position for 5 seconds and relax. Perform 10 repetitions of this stretch.

Perform the above-mentioned neck stretches to relieve pain, either in a sitting or a standing position. However, just remember to be slow, while you do the movements. Constant headaches and neck pain, which are very commonly caused due to stiff muscles in the neck and shoulders, will be cured by performing these stretches. Stiff muscles in the neck and shoulders can result from poor posture, sitting for long periods of time, stress, sleeping in a wrong way, lifting weights in wrong way, etc. If you experience pain in the neck, you can easily perform some stretches to get rid of the problem. You can also perform some stretching exercises everyday, to relax your muscles. However, if you have a muscle pain history or if the pain does not show any improvement, then you should consult an orthopedic doctor, to make sure that you do not suffer from a serious condition. Read more on: neck pain relief.