| Neck pain is very common and while it can be due to | | | | exercises the physio gives the patient and it is |
| trauma such as whiplash it is more commonly | | | | important to do them well for the maximum benefit. |
| attributable to repetitive activities in a poor position or | | | | Firstly the frequency of the exercises, if there is |
| due to poor posture over a period of time. Poor | | | | stiffness and not too much pain, often needs to be |
| posture, especially with sitting jobs such as driving, | | | | higher than patients expect, because the tissues need |
| desk and computer work, is extremely common | | | | repeated stressing to increase their length and allow |
| amongst workers and contributes towards the large | | | | more movement. There will be some pain or |
| numbers of people presenting to the physiotherapist | | | | discomfort as the joints and muscles go further than |
| with neck pain. Physios will assess and treat neck pain | | | | they have been used to but it should not be excessive. |
| with a variety of techniques but exercise will almost | | | | Many people roll the neck around and around, or turn |
| always be a main plank of self management as most | | | | back and forwards to left and right in a continuous |
| of the work has to be done by the patient while they | | | | motion, both these techniques being potentially irritating |
| are away from the physiotherapist. | | | | for the neck joints. Exercises should be done from the |
| The neck is specialised for rotation in particular so we | | | | central, neutral location each time and the head |
| can turn our heads to allow our eyes to see to one | | | | returned to that position in between movements. |
| side or another. Apart from pain, lack of rotation is the | | | | Steady movement to one side then return just a |
| commonest complaint people present with when | | | | steadily to the centre is the best method, and try not |
| attending a physio. Usually it is painful when reaching | | | | to rush the movement, keep a constant slow speed. |
| round to the last part of the available range or the | | | | At the end of the movement try and get a little further |
| movement just comes to a stop and won't go any | | | | by pushing into the stiffness for a second or so. Your |
| further, limiting natural movements in everyday life and | | | | physiotherapist will guide you as to the number of |
| functional activities such as driving. | | | | movements and how often to perform them. |
| Neck rotation exercises will very likely be one of the | | | | |