Protect Ya Neck – The Danger of Neck Circles
There are several exercises, which people commonly perform, that may predispose the body to injury. As a physical therapist, who provides care for many patients presenting with cervical spine pathology (neck problems), one such exercise is that of neck circles. While the neck may afford one the ability to complete a full circle, it should not be performed given the risky nature of this movement. When one combines extension, rotation, and sidebending (all motions involved with part of the circular motion), hyperextension and compression of the cervical spine may occur. This may subsequently result in unwanted foraminal closure and nerve root compression. This movement is also very similar to the Spurling’s maneuver, which is an orthopedic examination technique used to assesses for a cervical radiculopathy. So if you suffer from neck pain and/or experience tingling and numbness in the arm, please don’t resort to neck circles, but rather, seek medical consultation from an orthopedist or reputable physical therapist. And always remember what Wu Tang says…you best “Protect Ya Neck.”
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Good subject Chris. I hate when patients said they have tried to do these because someone said it is a good activity to loosen up the neck. Unfortanetly, the mechanics of the joints in the neck weren’t designed for repetive rotatory movements such as circles and vital strutures such as the vertebral artery could be sheared when rotating the neck in extension.