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Neck Stretches
~ How to Stretch Your Neck ~
Neck stretches help to relieve tension and stress. Also known as the trapeziuz muscle, a trapezius stretch will help to decrease muscle
tightness in the neck.
Poor posture, daily living and neck injuries can often result in having tight neck muscles. Learn these gentle stretches for the neck to decrease muscle tightness.
Don't bounce during these stretches, just hold the position. You're stretching to relax your muscles, not to contract them by bouncing.
Stretches for the Neck:
Chin to Chest Stretch
Eyes to the Sky Stretch
Side Trapezius Stretch
Neck Circles
Half Neck Circles
Learn more about your neck muscles.
Chin to Chest Stretch
Main Muscle Worked= Neck
Other Muscles Worked= Traps
- Get in a seated position on the floor or in a chair.
- Place both hands behind your head and lock your fingers.
- Slowly pull on your head, putting your chin down to your chest.
- Using your hands apply slight pressure to your head to increase the stretch.
- You should feel the stretch in your neck and back.
- Hold for 20-30 seconds.
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Eyes to the Sky Stretch
Main Muscle Worked= Upper Traps
Other Muscles Worked= Neck
- Get in a seated position on the floor or in a chair.
- Slowly tilt your head backwards as if looking up at the sky or ceiling.
- Using your hand, apply slight pressure on your forehead to increase the stretch.
- Hold for 20-30 seconds.
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Side Trapezius Stretch
Main Muscle Worked= Neck
Other Muscles Worked= None
- Get in a seated position on the floor or in a chair or you can stand.
- Relax your shoulders.
- Gently tilt your head towards your left shoulder.
- Use your left hand and apply slight pressure to the right side of your head to increase the stretch.
- Repeat on the other side.
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Neck Circles
Main Muscle Worked= Neck
Other Muscles Worked= None
- Stand Up or sit comfortably in a chair.
- Put your chin down to your chest.
- Slowly tilt your head to the right, leading your right ear to your right shoulder.
- From your shoulder, tilt your head backwards, then slowly tilt your head to your left shoulder, then take your chin back to your chest.
- Leading with your chin, you're creating circles with your head.
- Do this 5 times going clockwise.
- Repeat going counter clockwise.
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Half Neck Circles
Main Muscle Worked= Neck
Other Muscles Worked= None
- Stand up or sit comfortably in a chair.
- Put your chin down to your chest.
- Slowly guide your chin (not actually touching, just guiding) across your collarbone to your right shoulder.
- Inhale and then exhale as you guide your chin slowly across your collarbone to your left shoulder.
- Repeat 5 times.
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Strengthen Your Neck
The amount of time it takes to train and perform neck stretches can help to improve athletic performance, improve your appearance and help prevent injury.
If you suffer from tightness caused by long hours sitting on your butt at work or even at home, the stretching alone should make your life feel more comfortable in general.
There are additional exercises for strengthening your neck muscles to make the neck even stronger.
Return from Neck Stretches to Stretching Exercises
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