Why Neck Stretching Often Exacerbates Neck Pain

This is a video discussing the very confusing topic of neck pain caused by depressed shoulders that is often exacerbated from stretching the neck itself. This helps to explain why so many people never get anywhere with treatments that constantly tug and pull at muscles that are already overstretched and under extreme tension. The solution is actually to try and tighten up the upper trapezius muscle in particular to take the strain off of the levator scapula muscle that often is hypertonic and associated with headaches.
Two great articles to read about this and what really causes neck pain is provided in the links below
I felt compelled to make this video as recently I have come across this problem multiple times with people who are suffering from chronic headaches and neck stiffness. Their addiction to weakening their shoulder muscles is a big part of the problem and when this is combined with gravity's attempts to pull your shoulders down even further, pain is not far away.
When you look at a human skeleton you can clearly see how your bones are all stacked upon each other to create stability at your joints. Gravity basically compresses your bones to lock everything into place so you do not fall apart like a bag of bones. The one area that is different to all the others is clavicle (more commonly known as the collarbone) at the front of the shoulder.
The clavicle appears to be the only thing holding up your shoulder as it is not stacked upon other bones vertically like the spine and the lower limbs. The only way it can create stability to hold itself in good position is via use of multiple muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Two of the main muscles that hold these bones in place, LEVATOR SCAPULA and the TRAPEZIUS attach to the neck and the base of the skull. This explains why dysfunctional movement at the shoulder can easily lead to neck pain and headaches. The levator scapula is often the muscle that people feel neck pain with as it is easily overloaded when weakness is present in other muscles.
This video I show you a few simple exercises to help you here but you must appreciate that there is a stack of other stuff you will need to do. This is just the starting point.
As I only show you a few things to do make sure you check out the articles below that provide additional exercises and more information on the various things discussed in the video
How to Assess Your Body For Mobility Restrictions
10 Ways to Improve Thoracic Mobility
Improve Scapula Stability
Why Serratus Anterior Is So Important To The Neck & Shoulder
Why I Love The Serratus Anterior Wall Slides
Single Cable Push Is More Than Just A Strength Exercise

GET THIS SPECIAL REPORT IF YOU HAVE PAIN
If you currently suffer with chronic neck and shoulder pain make sure you grab a copy of this special PDF report that provides you with all the assessments and corrective exercises to get rid of this problem for good.

[MelissaJackNoRegrets]

This is something I have been working on for a long time and these exercises definitely help. If only I was doing this years ago instead of trying to always massage and stretch my neck

[Noregretspt]

This is quite a difficult concept to explain to people so I hope this video made sense. Obviously there is a ton of exercises I have left out as the video would go too long if I included all the things I might try. Check out the links in the description as they provide you with many of the things I left out.

[hareeba]

As usual a quality video and explanation Nick. Thanks to you and your team.

[michaelrichmond]

Great video. I know your philosophy about neck pain from HNP and DJD as you just try to avoid direct strengthen of the neck muscles and focus on posture via scapular area to keep the head and neck in perfect alignment taking pressure off the disc's. Please correct me if I am wrong. Once again how do you feel about strength the SCM etc? In USA you will see people training for mma and wrestling training with contraptions they put on their head and attach bands to and work neck muscles in every direction. Wouldnt thick strong neck muscles stabilize a neck with herniated disks and DJD? Thanks a million