Whether it's caused by an automobile accident, sleeping at an awkward angle or hunching over a computer for hours every day, neck pain can be incredibly disruptive.
It's not hard to see why, when you look at the anatomy of the neck.
It's made up of several bones, ligaments and muscles, all of which support your head and encourage motion.
While it's a good idea to check in with a chiropractor if you're experiencing chronic and debilitating neck pain, the sort of everyday neck pain we all experience can be easily rectified with this simple technique from Dr. Alan Mandell.
Step 1
Determine which side the pain is coming from by turning your head in either direction. For example, if the pain is coming from the left side of your neck, you will feel pain when turning in that direction.
Next, take your hand, and while turning your head to the side the pain is coming from, press into your neck with your fingers.
Continue to turn your head as far to the pained side as it can go while pulling your fingers in the opposite direction.
Step 2
Turn in the direction of the neck pain and place the hand from the opposite side of your body on top of your head.
Pull down in the opposite direction until you feel a stretch. Hold that for a few seconds, then pull further. Repeat until you've completed the range of motion.
Step 3
Lastly, take the hand from the same side of the neck that is hurting and form a fist.
Rest your knuckles against your neck and lean into your fist.
Check out the video below for a visual demonstration of this technique.
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https://www.facebook.com/DavidAvocadoWolfe/videos/10153459484186512/
Sources:
HealthLine.com
FulkChiropractic.com
Dr. Alan Mandell