Cervical Spine Exercises

Strengthening the Cervical Spine

Usually exercises for cervical spine are often advised to give patient respite from his pain as well as to help him get strength back in the cervical muscles which get weak due to the different spinal disorders. Physical therapy as well as exercise programs by therapists are decided upon keeping in mind the cervical spine anatomy as well as the problem areas of the patient.

Generally neck strengthening exercises are designed where scalene and suboccipital muscles are stretched in conjunction in the most effective manner possible. This is done keeping in mind that weakened postural muscles as well as upper thoracic extensors and the deep cervical flexors are also strengthened.

Exercises for the Cervical Spine

Physical therapy is one of the most popular cervical treatments because it goes a long way in providing respite to the painful symptoms that the patient is suffering.  The following cervical spine exercises can help get patients relieve neck pain:

Cervical Spine ExercisesChin Tuck

This exercise is one of the most effective postural exercises to help patient deal with neck pain. This exercise not only strengthen the muscles pulling the head back but it also stretches the scalene and suboccipital muscles.

Prone Cobra

This is a more advanced exercise then the chin tuck and is done with the main aim of strengthening the shoulder girdle muscle as well as the muscles in the neck and upper back.

Back Burn

This postural exercise is also very important and is usually done with feet about four inches out of the bottom of the wall as well as the back against a flat wall.

The Cervical Spine & Physical Therapy

There is no doubt about the fact that physical therapy is one of the major cervical spine treatments.  Physical therapist usually help you by giving you a rehabilitation program that includes exercises so as to reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and increase range of motion.