Loosen that Stiff Neck with a Simple Exercise

Have you ever been sitting at a computer and noticed tightness in your neck? This is a common occurrence and contrary to popular belief, it is not always associated with too much time at the computer. Stiffness in the neck occurs for various reasons and as a result of many different activities.

This kind of tension can often be traced to the scalene muscles. When you feel tightness in this area it is often radiating from that group of three pairs of muscles in the lateral neck that make up the scalene muscles. Those three pairs are the scalenus anterior, the scalenus medius and the scalenus posterior.

The scalenus muscles are linked to the spinal nerves and originate in a crossways pattern from the cervical vertebrae. They connect onto the first and second ribs, and are also known as the lateral vertebral muscles. The anterior and the middle scalene muscles act together to elevate the first rib and rotate it. The posterior scalene elevates the second rib and aids in tilting of the neck.

Here is an exercise that can help stretch those stiff muscles:
• To start, sit straight in a chair and relax your shoulders.
• Look straight ahead, with your chin angled down slightly.
• Slowly bend your head to one side and hold the position for twenty seconds.
• With a fifteen second rest period between stretches, complete three repetitions.
• Then slowly bend your head to the other side just as you did on the first side and hold for twenty seconds.
• Again complete three repetitions with a fifteen-second rest period between reps.

This simple exercise can make a significant difference, a difference that should keep you loose and feeling much better. For more variety, look up other simple techniques to prevent neck stiffness and discomfort.