Release A Locked Neck
The top part of the neck is where most of the rotation occurs. But if the joints between the top two vertebrae get jammed, it can feel like your neck is locked. You might know it as a “cricked neck” or a “kinked neck”. It can feel impossible to turn your head, especially to one side.
Common causes are spending too much time with an air conditioner blowing right on your neck, or sleeping in a bad position. A lot of people simply wake up with the condition. Holding the head in a rotated position for too long (like a poor sleeping position) tends to restrict the joints. Avoid sleeping on your stomach and ensure that when watching TVs or computer screen that they are always straight in front of you, not to one side.
The medical name for this condition is Acute Acquired Torticollis. When the top joints are jammed in a bad position the inflammation and muscle spasm can increase over time so the sooner we release the joints the better.
How to release the neck:
The technique to release the neck is called PNF. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation.
With the head in the neutral position, try to tilt your neck to one side (like you are trying to put your ear on one shoulder) but resist the movement with your hand. Push against your hand for 5-8 seconds, firmly, then relax. Repeat the process on the other side.
Next, try to rotate the neck (like you are trying to look over your shoulder) but again resist with your hand firmly for 5-8 seconds. Then repeat this on the other side. It can be a little tender in some directions but that is normal and as long as you are only resisting (not actually moving the neck) it is safe to do.
You can repeat this a few times a day.
Tight shoulder? Check out my video on How To Loosen Shoulder Tightness
Stefan Becker
Barcelona Chiropractor