The 3 Worst Exercises That Completely Destroy Your Neck

When working out, you keep your eyes on the prize. But note that it's just as important to make sure you're not doing anything that can hurt, strain, or injure your body while striving to meet your end goal. For instance, we spoke with Robbie Mann, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, and Mideast Regional Director for FYZICAL's Company Clinics, who shares the worst exercises for your neck that you should be aware of.

Being able to properly move your neck is crucial for most daily tasks. Unfortunately, in today's day and age, many of us spend a good part of the workday hunched over a laptop or computer setup. And in our free time, it's common to scroll through social media, play games on our phones, and read books on our tablets, all while practicing bad posture. So get up and move in order to reverse this bad habit! "Proper alignment of our neck and spine are not always at the top of our priority list," Mann says. "Even worse, this improper alignment can stay with us when doing physical activities, like working out, golfing, or swimming."

If you're dealing with any sort of neck pain, it's important to pinpoint the movement that's behind your pain and stop doing it immediately. "Some rehabilitation techniques may counteract this statement, so please be sure to speak to your physical therapist who can help you learn which movements are best for you," Mann adds.

Below, you'll find a few of the worst exercises for your neck that can cause further pain or discomfort, along with much safer alternatives. Keep reading to learn more, and next, be sure to check out the 7 Fitness Habits That Are Destroying Your Body Before 60.

1. Neck Circles

illustration of neck circles

You may be surprised to learn that neck circles can pose a threat to your thoracic spine. These circular movements are performed to stretch out your neck muscles, but Mann explains there's a much safer alternative exercise to consider. "Neck stretches are best for loosening tight neck muscles," he says. "Start by sitting upright and looking straight ahead; apply pressure from your hand to your left shoulder and slowly tilt your head to the right. Hold for five seconds, and repeat on your other side."

2. Swimming Laps

swimmer swimming laps, demonstrating when to work out while intermittent fasting

When you head to the pool to swim laps, you may not realize you're favoring one side when breathing, which can wreak havoc on your neck. "This can be problematic after a while because you're building muscle on one side of the neck, and shortening the muscles on the other," Mann explains. "Try to alternate breathing sides to build muscles on both sides of your neck. Out of the pool consider neck rotations; start by sitting upright with your shoulder down, looking straight ahead. Slowly turn your head toward your right shoulder as far as you can comfortably hold it for five seconds before returning to your starting position. Repeat on the left side." That marks one full rotation. Mann instructs you to aim for three rotations in total.

3. Heavy Lifting

woman performing overhead barbell press, strength-building exercises

Last but not least, when your neck is already feeling sore, you should definitely decrease the amount of weight lifting you're doing. This is especially true for exercises that call for you to press the weights overhead, as it can put excess strain on your neck muscles.

"Ask a friend for help and consider rearranging heavy items on lower shelves or at eye level," Mann suggests. "It's important to be careful and not over-stretch a muscle that is in pain. Instead, try a heating pad and gently massage the sore area."

The post The 3 Worst Exercises That Completely Destroy Your Neck appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Eat This Not That

These 5 Grocery Items Are Cheaper Than Ever Right Now

The grocery industry has been facing major disruptions. The combined effects of the pandemic, climate change, and economic uncertainty over the past couple of years have culminated in a series of supply chain breakdowns. For the consumer, this means supply shortages , shipping delays , and temporary store closures are becoming more commonplace – and all of the added production cost to suppliers is driving up food prices . The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index report for January 2022 was released on Feb. 9, and it tells the story of cost trends for every spending category over the past year. Now the numbers are in, and since January 2021, "food at home" spending has increased 7.4%. Consumers should use this number as a benchmark, Phil Lempert, the consumer behavior analyst and founder behind Supermarket Guru , told Eat This, Not That! "Anything that's substantially less [than the 7.4% increase] is a deal," said Lempert. "When you

When Should I Take Creatine?

Creatine is probably the most well-researched supplement on the market today. Numerous studies have found positive adaptations in strength, power and muscle mass thanks to creatine supplementation—especially when it's combined with resistance training. Although the benefits of creatine are well-known to lifters, the best time to take it isn't common knowledge. Which leads us to some important questions: Does an optimal time for consuming creatine exist? If it does, should you take it before or after your workout? According to a new study published in the Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, the timing of creatine ingestion does indeed play a role in getting bigger and stronger. Creatine supplementation before resistance training increases muscular strength and lean muscle mass. Interestingly, taking creatine immediately after lifting weights results in greater muscle growth than taking it immediately before. However, in terms of strength gains, no difference betw

Reentry Anxiety Is Real - Why You May Experience It as Stay-at-Home Measures Ease

When the coronavirus stay-at-home orders began in March, most people's lives changed in immeasurable ways. At the time, we were bombarded with (admittedly, very helpful) advice on how to cope with anxiety , should we experience it during this time of social distancing and sheltering in place. But with restrictions slowly starting to ease in many parts of the world, there are many people who have seen an increase in anxiety all over again, this time about leaving their homes and reentering society. Posts about people's growing anxiety have been popping up around social media for the past couple of weeks, and it's given rise to the term "reentry anxiety." We wanted to find out exactly what reentry anxiety is, whether it's normal to be experiencing trepidation about leaving your stay-at-home orders, and how to cope if you are feeling anxious. What Is Reentry Anxiety? The short answer is that "post-lockdown anxiety is real," said Dr. Balu Pitchiah ,

Weight Loss Tricks

Search This Blog