STRETCH MORE STRESS LESS

Continuing with my last post theme, here some general stretching for injury prevention. We have an incredibly strong reflex to stress that is centered around our neck. It is almost as if we instinctively protect our neck and body from not just physical but also psychological harm. For this reason a healthy habit is to decrease the on set of neck pain so that stress isn't maginified by pain.

Again these pictures are from HEP2GO.COM.

UPPER TRAPZIUS STRETCH

Begin by bringing your head and neck into good posture. Next, move your head towards one side with the help of hand. Place the other arm (the arm on the side you are stretching) at the base of your back. Use small pressure on the hand on your head to stretch 20-30s 2-3x/day.

LEVATOR SCAPULA STRETCH

Again place the stretching side arm at the bottom of your back and use your other hand to draw your head towards the opposite side, but now add a downward motion after you bend to the side.

*These images are from HEP2GO.COM a great free resource for exercise explanations and pictures.