Patients who experience chronic pain and are pursuing neck pain relief in Wilmette IL may be interested to know if stretching exercises can help ease their discomfort and pain. Finding an effective solution to manage your pain may always be in your mind if you’re in constant pain.

Many causes may lead to neck pain. Some are due to poor posture, injury, or even a herniated disc. But whatever the underlying cause of your neck pain, it may feel frustrating and even debilitating, especially when your mobility is challenged and you cannot freely move your head in different directions.

You can do many things to find neck pain relief in Wilmette IL, including stretching and gentle exercises. Doing some stretching at regular intervals, particularly involving your neck muscles and surrounding area, may benefit you, especially for those who work on their computer or desks for long hours daily. A stretching routine can help reduce or eliminate the pain you feel and improve blood flow to and from your brain when done correctly.

Take proper caution when doing neck stretching; otherwise, you increase your risk of injury or aggravate your condition. However, you will start reaping its benefits when you properly perform neck stretching exercises. You may also want to explore upper cervical chiropractic care, a natural remedy that can potentially bring long-lasting neck pain relief.

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EASY-TO-DO NECK STRETCHES FOR MUSCLE RELIEF in Wilmette IL

Below are some easy neck stretches you can try to help soothe painful muscles in the neck area:

CORNER STRETCH
This stretch can provide deep muscle flexion for the chest and shoulders and help improve posture and loosen tight muscles. In addition, corner stretch will allow you to reduce your risks of developing neck pain and other related problems.

The corner stretch exercise requires you to stand in the corner of the room and use your arms to support your body when you lean forward to the wall. You will feel your chest muscles stretching when you push your body downwards. Hold this position for approximately 15 seconds and repeat about three times.

LEVATOR SCAPULAE STRETCH
Your levator scapulae are located at the base of your head, which helps extends the cervical spine and lift the arms to the front. They may tend to be stiff or painful when you lean forward too often, such as when working at your desk.

Repeat this routine 2 to 3 times per each side each day. Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Sit and place one arm underneath the chair to press your shoulder muscles down
• Step 2: Lift your opposite arm forward and rest your palm on the side of your head
• Step 3: Using that same hand for step 2, stretch your neck towards and stay on hold for 30 seconds
• Step 4: Repeat on the other side

SIDE TILT
Neck stretching exercises are relatively safe and easy to do. For side tilts, you will need to tilt your head to the side of the body until you feel that stretch and repeat on the other side of your neck. Routine side tilting can help release tension in your neck muscles and joints.

SHOULDER SHRUGS
This can help improve your shoulder and neck muscle strength with or without using weights. Follow these steps for a shoulder shrug routine:

• Step 1: Stand straight
• Step 2: Relax your muscles
• Step 3: Place your arms on the side of the body with your palms facing each other; if you’re using weights, this is the time to lift them.
• Step 4: Inhale and lift your shoulder muscles as high as you can. Remember to do this in a slow and relaxed way.
• Step 5: Release your muscles and exhale
• Step 6: Repeat up to 3 sets with ten repetitions

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UPPER CERVICAL CARE FOR OPTIMUM CERVICAL SPINE HEALTH

You may not realize it immediately, but caring for your cervical spine or neck is essential to your body’s optimum health. It may seem simple, but your neck helps support your head which is a significant role, and it also helps your head move in different directions multiple times a day. The bones in your neck also protect different cranial brains and your brainstem, which sits just below your skull. Your brainstem is a part of your central nervous system that facilitates transporting messages and pain signals through and from the brain.

If your neck gets injured, suffers from misalignments, or endures disc herniation, its overall function may be affected. You may also experience chronic neck pain that may not quickly resolve even after taking medications or getting a massage.

One important thing you should be wary of is a misalignment in the upper cervical bones, which is also called a subluxation. If you experience one, you might notice its effects on your central nervous system. This puts you at risk of developing other chronic pain disorders related to neck pain, such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, migraines, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD).

Upper cervical care can also potentially provide you with long-lasting neck pain relief in Wilmette IL. You can visit an upper cervical chiropractic doctor to check for any issues and misalignments in your upper cervical spine. Having this checked may also confirm if it’s related to your neck pain and other health concerns.

If a misalignment gets diagnosed, your chiropractic doctor will recommend a personalized series of adjustments to restore the balance and alignment in your spine. The adjustments are guaranteed to be safe, gentle, and precise. In addition, digital imaging tests are sometimes required to precisely gauge the severity of your bone misalignment.

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CALL DR. HALSTEAD OF ATLAS UPPER CERVICAL CHIROPRACTIC

The completion of your adjustments may take a few weeks. However, some patients claim that even early in their sessions, they started noticing improvement in symptoms, including neck pain. Therefore, the adjustments are carefully planned to help manage and potentially put an end to your pain and discomfort.

If you are ready to try upper cervical care for your neck pain, book your appointment by calling our office at (847) 908-5044 or using our online contact form.

Let us help you restore your body’s function at the highest level possible. Call us today!