If you suffer from neck pain, you’re not alone. Neck pain is a common affliction for many people. Many of us spend hours a day looking down at our phones or at a computer screen. Poor posture can contribute to neck pain by increasing the tension in the neck. Bad ergonomics can increase stress in the soft tissue and on the spine itself. The good news is that physical therapy exercises are a great way to reduce neck pain. 

Are you wondering which physical therapy exercises are effective for neck pain? Here are three exercises that you might encounter in physical therapy treatment for neck pain. 

Three physical therapy exercises for neck pain

These exercises can be effective in treating neck pain. They can reduce tension in the spine by opening up the vertebrae and can reduce stress in the neck muscles. You can try them at home, but if your neck pain doesn’t improve, you may want to seek help from a physical therapist.

1. Chin tuck — First, stand straight up against a wall with your spine erect and both feet shoulder width apart. Then, with your head still touching the wall, tuck your chin in toward your chest. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat up to 10 times. You should feel this stretch in your upper back and neck.

2. Neck extension — This stretch starts the same as the chin tuck. From a neutral standing position, slowly look upward while moving your head back. Keep your shoulders and back straight. Hold your gaze upward, and then return to looking ahead. Repeat this stretch up to 10 times. 

3. Neck rotations — Another easy stretch that you can do anytime is neck rotations. Begin in a neutral position either sitting or standing, but make sure that your spine is straight. Start by moving your head in a circle, as if you were drawing little circles with your nose. Slowly increase the radius of these circles until you are making them about the size of a plate. Then reverse direction and decrease the size of your circles.

Need more physical therapy exercises for your neck pain? Franklin Rehab is prepared to help

Neck pain can make it uncomfortable to hold a conversation, watch television, read on your devices or any other activities you might engage in on a daily basis. The good news is that physical therapy can help provide relief for neck pain. Our physical therapists at Franklin Rehabilitation are experts in treating neck pain. We are prepared to build you a personalized treatment plan that addresses your personal concerns and helps provide you relief. 

Contact our team today for more information about neck pain or to schedule an initial appointment.