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Page 1 of 10 Flexibility Exercises
Joint stiffness and loss of flexibility is a common cause of neck and back pain. Therefore, flexibility exercises are important for many. If a joint or muscle is stiff, pain will be felt as the limit of range of motion. This in not the case when a muscle or joint has normal flexibility. Therefore, one of the signs of joint or muscle stiffness is limited range of movement and pain at the end of the range.
"A good rule of thumb" is this: If you have limited movement and some stiffness is felt at the end of that movement, you will need to do flexibility exercises. If you seem to have full movement and no stiffness is felt, you probably do not need to do that particular flexibility exercise.
It is important to follow this rule because it is possible to be too flexible. Joints and muscles can be overstretched. Unfortunately, some athletes and exercise fanatics spend too much effort stretching. Weakened joints and muscles are the result. If you are not sure which exercises you should do, or how vigorous you should be, your physical therapist or doctor can advise you.
The following flexibility exercises for the neck and upper back should first be done as a test. If you feel stiffness as you do certain exercises, you will want to include these in your regular exercise program.
Forward head, slumped sitting posture involves rounding of the shoulders and upper back. The muscles and ligaments in the front of the chest and shoulders may become tight with this type of posture.
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