To increase full cervical spine extension, in a loaded position, which is an advancement to the unloaded position. This is good for people who have disc bulges and pain when tilting the head back in sitting, and those who suffer from poor posture and a dysfunction in the lower cervical spine. This exercise encourages extension (backwards bend) through the lower part of your neck which is often stiff and usually held in a flexed (forward bent) position. It also encourages flexion through the upper part of your neck which is usually in extension when we sit with our chins poking out.
|
|
Start position: In sitting, wrap your hands around the back of your neck so your 5th fingers arre cradling the base of the skull and your 1st fingers are at the base of your neck. Gently lengthen your neck and retract your head so your head moves horizontally backwards Then when in full retraction, slowly allow the head to tilt backwards, guided by your hands, so the weight of your head is in your hands (not your neck muscles holding your head). Go back as far as you can go and gently push into your hands. Then slowly return and grab the back of your head to lift it back up, forwards and reset. Try to not raise the head yourself with your neck - use your hands so it's a passive return to the start.
Special Notes
You need to have minimal pain when doing this. If it is painful you need to go back to the previous level exercise.
|