Hi All and WELCOME to the next installment of 'Stretch of the Week'. The forward flexion stretch is aimed at stretching the muscles in the posterior neck and upper back. It has come to my attention that a few people are experiencing headaches due to the amount of tension in their neck and upper back and this is a great way to release the tension. Partaking in this stretch a couple of times a day will reduce the tension and hopefully prevent headaches occuring.
The forward flexion neck stretch involves a range of muscles from thetop of the neck to halfway down your back. This inculdes the longissimus capitis, levator scapulae and the semispinalis and spenius capitis. Further down the neck is the seimipspinalis, logissimus and spelnius cervicis muscles and both the rhomboid major and minor are all involved in this stretch. Also in the mid back the spinalis thoracis is stretched but only minorly.
Don't ever under estimate the importance of stretching and the benefits it holds.
The forward flexion neck stretch involves a range of muscles from thetop of the neck to halfway down your back. This inculdes the longissimus capitis, levator scapulae and the semispinalis and spenius capitis. Further down the neck is the seimipspinalis, logissimus and spelnius cervicis muscles and both the rhomboid major and minor are all involved in this stretch. Also in the mid back the spinalis thoracis is stretched but only minorly.
Don't ever under estimate the importance of stretching and the benefits it holds.
When doing this stretch be very mindful that this is your posterior nexck we are talking about, this is your spine and the muscles surrounding it. If you feel something is wrong and you should stop, then stop. Other than that, keep your arms and shoulders relaxed and by your side. Position you feet evenly and about shoulder length apart, like all stretches should. Don't rotate you head either way, make sure it drops onto your chest straight.
The forward flexion neck stretch is useful in neck muscle strain, whiplash, cervical nerve stretch syndrome, wryneck.
Always rememberthat while stretching may be recommended to aid recovery out of injury, you should always be very careful when stretching through rehabilitation. Your soft tissues are likely to be more vulnerable to re-injury if you stretch too much or too hard during this time. Always check with your Health Care Professional who is guiding you through your recovery to make sure it is appropriate to start stretching, and please - ALWAYS FOLLOW THE RULES FOR SAFE STRETCHING (The first posting on this stretching blog).
Image taken from "Upper Body Stretches" wall chart by B. Walker.
The forward flexion neck stretch is useful in neck muscle strain, whiplash, cervical nerve stretch syndrome, wryneck.
Always rememberthat while stretching may be recommended to aid recovery out of injury, you should always be very careful when stretching through rehabilitation. Your soft tissues are likely to be more vulnerable to re-injury if you stretch too much or too hard during this time. Always check with your Health Care Professional who is guiding you through your recovery to make sure it is appropriate to start stretching, and please - ALWAYS FOLLOW THE RULES FOR SAFE STRETCHING (The first posting on this stretching blog).
Image taken from "Upper Body Stretches" wall chart by B. Walker.
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