Blaine, WA, residents can use two exercises for neck arthritis

Neck Arthritis Exercises

The term “arthritis” covers hundreds of conditions that cause joint inflammation. Cervical or neck arthritis is one such condition that Blaine, Washington, residents might be living with. This type of arthritis affects the facet joints at the rear of your neck vertebrae, and it can lead to pain and decreased neck mobility. 

Therapeutic exercises are a common treatment option local physical therapists use for neck arthritis. Isometric exercises can be done to reduce pain, but they don’t require a lot of neck movement. These features can be very helpful for neck arthritis patients. Here are two isometric exercises that can benefit your neck arthritis: 

1.  Isometric neck extensions

Isometric neck exercises can be helpful for neck arthritis patients with weak neck muscles. One therapeutic exercise that’s isometric and targets the front of your neck is isometric neck extensions. 

How to do the isometric neck extension exercise

  • Sit up straight in a stable chair; your head should be facing forward and centered over your shoulders. 
  • Place one or both hands on the back of your head. 
  • Tighten the muscles at the front of your neck and push your head backward. At the same time, push forward on your head with your hands. This works your muscles without moving your head very much. 
  • Work your neck muscles for five to 10 seconds; then, relax your muscles and take a 30-second break. 
  • Continue to repeat these steps until you’ve done them three to five times. 

 

2.  Isometric neck flexion

Your therapist can also show you how to work the muscles on the back of your neck using isometric movements. An exercise that’s perfect for this purpose is isometric neck flexion. 

How to do the isometric neck flexion exercise

  • Start out with your head centered over your shoulders. You should also be sitting up with good posture. 
  • Place a hand on your forehead. 
  • Tighten the muscles at the back of your neck, and push your head forward. 
  • Resist the forward head movement by simultaneously pushing backward with your hand.
  • Maintain this position for five to 10 seconds before relaxing for 30 seconds. 
  • Repeat these steps until you’ve worked the targeted muscles three to five times. 

Find neck arthritis exercises and other treatment options at Whatcom Physical Therapy in Blaine

Are you wondering where you can find effective neck arthritis physical therapy locally? Whatcom Physical Therapy has a clinic here in Blaine that can help you. Our clinic offers free screenings to get your therapy started. We also create personalized therapy plans for each patient we see, and these plans could include beneficial therapy methods like: 

Don’t wait to start getting effective neck arthritis treatment with us. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule your free screening.