How to Perform Suboccipital Stretches
Most of us have experienced neck pain or a headache at some point in our lives. And sometimes, the two seem to go hand-in-hand. If you're looking for relief, there's a stretch that can help. It's called the “suboccipital release,” and it involves your suboccipital muscles, which are located at the base of your skull. This stretch is simple to do and only takes a few seconds, but it can provide significant relief from pain. Here's how to do it:
1. Start by sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you.
2. Place your hands behind your head, interlacing your fingers.
3. Gently pull your head forward so that your chin is touching your chest. You should feel a stretch in the back of your neck. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds.
4. Relax and repeat 2-3 times.
You can also do this stretch standing up. Simply place your hands on the back of your head and gently pull your head down so that your chin touches your chest. Hold for 20-30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times.
The next time you're dealing with neck pain or a headache, try the suboccipital release stretch. This simple move can provide significant relief from pain, and it only takes a few seconds to do. Give it a try and see how you feel!
The neck is the primary area where many people hold their stress, so it makes sense that having a strong and healthy neck can improve overall well-being. If you are experiencing pain or tightness in your neck, read on, and watch the video to learn how to perform an effective deep neck flexor stretch. This simple stretch should be performed every night before going to sleep and during morning stretches for best results!
The Stretch That Works Wonders for Headaches and Neck Pain
A huge problem that many people have is a stiff neck. This can be caused by a number of things, but the most common cause is poor posture. If you sit at a desk all day with your head forward and shoulders rolled forward then this will result in neck stiffness. Another way to get a stiff neck is by playing sports like football or rugby where lots of jerking your head around occurs during games. In order to fix these types of problems it's important to stretch out those muscles as well as perform some exercises that strengthen them up. One great exercise for this purpose would be performing a deep neck flexor activation and suboccipital stretch.
The neck is the primary area where many people hold their stress, so it makes sense that having a strong and healthy neck can improve overall well-being. If you are experiencing pain or tightness in your neck, read on, and watch the video to learn how to perform an effective deep neck flexor stretch. This simple stretch should be performed every night before going to sleep and during morning stretches for best results!
A huge problem that many people have is a stiff neck. This can be caused by a number of things, but the most common cause is poor posture. If you sit at a desk all day with your head forward and shoulders rolled forward then this will result in neck stiffness. Another way to get a stiff neck is by playing sports like football or rugby where lots of jerking your head around occurs during games. In order to fix these types of problems it's important to stretch out those muscles as well as perform some exercises that strengthen them up. One great exercise for this purpose would be performing a deep neck flexor activation and suboccipital stretch.
Deep Neck Flexor Activation and Suboccipital Stretch
Exercise instructional video.
- With your upper back and the back of your head against the wall, keep your teeth together and tuck your chin back as if giving yourself double chins.
- You should feel the deep muscles in your neck activate and a light stretch in the base of your skull.
The neck has a significant role in movement and stability of the head and upper cervical region. The deep neck flexors, located under the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles, play an important role in both rotation and side bending of the neck.
In addition to these two functions, poor posture habits can lead to trigger points in the SCMs resulting in pain that is often felt at the base of your skull or behind your eyes. By performing this stretch you will be able to release tension from these muscles while also increasing mobility at C1-C2 which is known as the suboccipital triangle where some muscles originate from.
This increased range of motion can help with overhead movements such as handstands or other movements
Video instruction courtesy of Precision Nutrition. Fitness Pros- If you’re interested in becoming a Certified Nutrition Coach, they’re top notch!