Exercising your neck can make it stronger, more flexible and reduce neck pain caused by stress and fatigue. The neck muscles are attached to the bones of the shoulders, spine, and head. The most common causes of neck pain are bad body posture, bad movement, and arthritis of the neck. Overusing the muscles, especially if it is in one position, can also cause neck pain. An example of this would be cradling a phone by your ear while you work. Stretching and extending the muscles slowly before exercising the neck is very important to avoid injury. In addition to reducing neck pain, exercising the neck will strengthen the muscles of the neck, upper back, and shoulders and will increase the range of motion in the neck. Always check with your healthcare provider before you start a new exercise program, especially if you have a history of neck injury or pain.
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