I just want to say thank you. I've had intense brain fog and migraine for going on 2 months straight now. Did these exercises for 4 days and my migraine is 80% gone, my eyes are no longer hard, I'm not getting shooting pains up the right side of my face, and my neck isn't as stiff as a brick.
These are fantastic. I have many unstable vertebrae in my neck with a lot of chronic pain, especially the upper parts, but every exercise I tried irritated the disk degeneration at the base of my neck. I thought neck strengthening was hopeless for that reason, but isometric strengthening completely gets around that issue.
Dear Beth, I wish to thank you for your generosity, and wise instructions given with patience and affection. I was diagnosed with cervical spine destabilization, which has caused me tinnitus and deafness. After a thousand attempts nothing worked. Following your generous advice, I felt, for the first time since the first day, a favorable reaction. I am infinitely grateful for your kindness and dedication. May God fill you with plenty of blessings.🙏
Fernando, you are most welcome and I am so glad that these videos are helping you! Thank you for taking the time to write these comments and send me your feedback. Thank you for your blessings and I send you blessings in return!
Hello from Brasil, i have spine problems over 2 years, and Thats exercises Help me A LOT, i wont can breathe, and have facial alterarions and now Its so much better, im Sorry for the language, but really really thanks
Thank you for all the videos, I am going through a very bad time and these videos helped a lot. We are glad we have you. You are the most magnificent, most knowledgeable, most humble person I have ever seen.
Wow you’re a godsend! Thank you for this video it really made a huge difference, my whole upper thoracic and cervical spine re-aligned in just one round, all the issues went away like magic! I will keep doing these, thanks again!
Ferran van den Bos, that's so fantastic to hear!!! I'm thrilled that you responded so well to these exercises. Yes, keep doing them daily for at least a couple weeks. Then I recommend continuing them at least a couple days per week for maintenance. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks you very much for these broke my neck an I’m 5 months post op after cervical neck fusion from c4 to t2 real eager to lift weights but I know I’m not ready for ‘em so thanks for these for the time being
I have heds and cci. This is perfect for me bc I don't have health insurance to go to PT right now and im in bed a lot. Worried my neck is weakening. I've had good luck with these exercises so far and I'm going to try sitting on an exercise ball (to engage my core) while doing them. Also helps to look at your posture in a mirror.
Holly Lisa, I'm so glad these exercises are helping you! Great idea to do them sitting on an exercise ball for core engagement and to utilize mirror feedback for posture and to see what muscles are being activated. When/if you feel ready to progress the exercises, check out the intermediate level video I just posted: ruclips.net/video/Hjpcyx4rJ1Q/видео.html. No rush, don't hurry, but it's there for you when/if you want it.
Thanks a ton for this video mam, i am facing these problems for more than five years and none of the doctors could diagnose or identify this. I have started these exercises and starting to see the change. Hope to get better with this, thankyou.
You're very welcome and I'm glad you found my channel. It's great to hear you're noticing change. Thank you for sharing your progress! All the best for healing and recovery!
@Tammy, it is not uncommon to feel dizziness and a floating sensation with cervical instability and these exercises will help resolve that. Be sure that you're following up with your doctor regularly as there are other causes of dizziness and a floating sensation that require medical attention.
Full on vertigo. Went to the ER. Checked the other stuff out. More i read i am convinced this is the cause. I was whipped around on a tractor the day before. I remember hearing a crunchy noise at the base of my skull. Think I stretched a ligament. Terrible feeling ever since.
I've had this dizziness and floating sensation for a long time, when turnung my head or body, or doing a sudden movement. The cause was a cervical protrusion, at C2-C3. What helped me was massaging deeply the area around those cervical vertebraes, by pushing a masage ball, hard against a wall with my neck. Give it a try,it was a life saver for me.
Hey Beth thanks for your great videos I love them. But do I have to do them my hole life every day when I have cervical instability? Or can I stopped when my pain is gone? Or for how long should I do these exercises? Thanks Vera ❤
Hi Vera, I'm so glad you like my videos. I recommend doing them every day when you have symptoms and then 2-3x/week for maintenance. Think of them like brushing your teeth or clipping your nails, or other things you do on a regular basis to maintain your health.
Thank you so much for posting this! I’m 23 and after an injury to my upper neck (that doctors cannot locate so they say that I’m fine), I’ve been bedridden due to pain and worsening neurological symptoms. No doctors locally will listen or evaluate me - to say I’m miserable is an understatement, I’m borderline suicidal from this. Hoping to see some improvement, even if the pain in my head doesn’t totally resolve as long as neuro symptoms can lessen/go away I feel like I can live with it at this point. I just want to be able to go to school. Is there anything I can do for ligament strengthening on top of muscle strengthening? Don’t want to create more issues by having that be unbalanced (if that makes sense). Thanks!!
Hello, I was like u 3 years ago. I had many different issues don't give up I got better and so can u. I am not gone a lie I still have symptoms but they are not as severe. If u ever want a talk let me know. Good luck
Grace, these exercises strengthen the deep muscles all around the neck gently and evenly to build support that is balanced. When the neck is supported by a balanced muscular system, pressure is taken off the ligaments. Once they are no longer overstretched, they can begin to heal and recover naturally. There are other treatments available focused on connective tissue (including ligaments), such as prolotherapy. I don't have a specific opinion for or against those treatments but I mention it as an option for treating ligaments specifically. All the best!!
@@pedropassament4299 Hi Pedro ! I would love to know what did you do to improve your situation? I have theses issues after wiplash and violent chiro adjustment , also maybe EDS . Would love any tips or info, thanks a million and i am glad you are better it gives us hope!
I know exactly what you mean. I am going through this now. You are not alone and remember things can and will get better. It's dark now but it wont stay that way forever dont give up. Hope you are doing okay. This thing is no joke, truly horrific. It's my faith in God that has kept me from giving up.
I've been suffering with dizziness. I have not been diagnosed with anything yet; however, I believe it has to do with my neck. How has your dizziness progressed? Did it get better with these exercises? Thank you
Thank you for making this video! I’ve had a issue with my neck for a while now. All often get a little zap of vertigo or a floating sensation if I’m laying in my recliner. And I know to adjust my neck. When I sleep in my bed I sleep on my stomach and my chin needs to be tucked in to my chest. Because if I slide my head up I’ll get dizzy. And I can’t look up long. I’m excited to get these a try after reading some of the comments. Thanks again!
Bigrimz, you're welcome! I'm glad you found my videos. You may also benefit from checking out my video on cervicogenic dizziness: ruclips.net/video/O-6eV34Ny_c/видео.html. There are additional exercises in that video that I think may help you. All the best!
Hi Beth, I hope you see this. I just have a question. I have shoulder issues that is causing major neck issues. I was reading pros and cons of doing isometric neck strengthening. Here are the cons: On the other hand, the cons of isometric training are: Nervous system fatigue. Cardiovascular system can be affected as well. Increase blood pressure. Affects coordination, and. Decreases soft tissue elasticity. Are any of these true? Just curious and is there a way around them. Thank you
Hi LW, I apologize for the delay in responding to your question. I have not had any patient experience the 'cons' mentioned. I don't know where that information came from, but I suppose if one used a great deal of resistance and held their breath at the same time, the excessive isometric exertion could have side effects. In the video, I specifically included the instruction of using light resistance and continuing to breathe. With light resistance and consistent breathing, I don't see those cons occurring. Now, as with many other exercises, if someone has a history of cardiovascular disease, arterial blockages, or other significant issues, there could be side effects. If you have other conditions or concerns, definitely check with your doctor.
Love yooouu, thanks for this, I don't have any cervical issue but I have a pretty weak and tense neck. I want to improve my stability on the neck and I've noticed that the tightness of my hip, and inactivity of my shoulders is linked deeply to the tightness of my neck. Any advice or routine for later in the process when I've incorporated all of these tucks and holds for a while? I'm think about doing it for a month, but then hopefully there's a minimalist approach I can abord so I have more time for some other type of training.
Hello Beth, Thank you for the video. I’ve had X-rays of my neck and have compressed disc between c5-6 with joint space decrease about 50%. I hear/ feel lots of little crunching or clicking/ popping as I turn my head in any direction. Is this a symptom of cervical instability? I have been diagnosed with it. Thank you
Hello Lisa, crunching and clicking during cervical rotation could be a symptom of cervical instability and many other diagnoses, including stenosis. A good diagnosis is based on a combination of x-ray findings, symptoms and many other details of the entire person. All the best!
I'm so happy I found your video. I've been experiencing issues with my Atlas. It keeps coming out. Worked with several Orthogonal chiropractors for 1.5 years and had prolotherapy. They all said this is this issue. With my Atlas keep popping out will these excercises help to stabalize my neck muscles and ligaments allowing the atlas to stay in its proper alignment? Im also experiencing neurological issues. Thank you
Farian, yes, these exercises will strengthen the deep neck muscles that support and stabilize the cervical spine on all sides of the neck. Do them with very light resistance, hardly any pressure at all, in order to activate the small, deep muscles and make sure you are sitting in neutral posture. All the best!
I‘m struggling with the same problem! Did you find something that has helped you? Did these exercises help? My atlas won‘t stay in place and is causing alot of pain… Thank you
Hi! Thank you so much for these exercises! How long do you think will it take to strengthen these muscles if I do these exercises 2x a day? I‘m in a lot of pain due to an atlas instability and it‘s very hard to stay patient… thank you very much.
While everyone is unique in their healing time, it typically takes about six weeks to see noticeable improvement, although you may start to feel better sooner. Stay with it, try to be patient. You can do it. All the best!
This released tension in places i have been trying to get to through massage for YEARS. wow thankyou. I will be doing these daily to see if I can make a dent in my chronic neck pain and issues. Question: I felt pain on one side only with the diagonal pressure one, and found in general one side didn't feel it even need strengthening but the other I struggled with the same movement. Is this level of muscle imbalance normal? Thanks so much 🙏🙏🙏
Emma Jenkinson, you're most welcome! That's fantastic you were able to release some deeply held tension and you're continuing the exercises daily!! Muscle imbalance as you describe is very common and these exercises are a great way to restore balance. It usually takes time, many repetitions (gentle), and paying attention to what you're feeling, which you're already doing. Equally important is to notice if there are positions and movements in your daily activity that contribute to the imbalance, such as poor posture, consistently turning your head or leaning to one side while working on computer/phone, etc., even doing a lot of work using your dominant arm. You might experiment with adjusting your posture, positioning and use of your arms, then see if you notice any difference. I'm so glad you're on the road to improved balance in your cervical spine, which will help you feel better in so many other ways! Thank you for sharing your progress!
hi, i had recently got an MRI, MRA and CT scan done on my neck and head and everything came back normal, but i do struggle with dizziness and tingling in limbs that i know is coming from my neck due to a whiplash like incident, would these exercises help
yes, these exercises would likely help. You might also benefit from my other videos on neck pain and I just finished recording a new video on whiplash that I'll post when I'm finished editing in a few weeks.
A lot is not seen . I had to have a CCJ MRI, cranial cervical junction upright MRI then Dr. Harshfield, a radiologist that is known all over in the upper cervical world to know how to read these. I was overlooked too and his reports are long and specific. I have serious issues and adds up to my symptoms
Please can you tell more about connection between an upper cervical instability and a shoulder girdle ? This is the problem I have been suffering for 9 years..the worst for last past year. I Guess you are talking about muscles on one-side being overstretched-underactive and muscles overactive on another side.thanks!
ginny177, I'm not completely sure what you are asking, so I'll do my best to answer... While the entire cervical spine and shoulder girdle are connected by many muscles and connective tissue, nerves, etc., and of course there is a postural connection, the term 'upper cervical instability' refers to specific issues where the base of the skull is connected to the top of the cervical spine, so it doesn't specifically have to do with the shoulder girdle. Lower cervical instability is more connected to the shoulder girdle. Your last sentence regarding muscle imbalances certainly affect the cervical spine and shoulder girdle. I hope that was helpful, I'm not sure I answered your question...
I have EDS, so instability in joints all over. Have had a lot of pain in my neck and now in the back of my head. Would this work for me? I live in Norway, so I have no way of getting an upright MRI here to see exactly what is going on in the back of my head, but it's getting worse.
@N S, I created this video specifically for people with EDS. The key is to be gentle and progress very gradually. Good luck and I wish you the best in healing.
What about if if the muscles aren’t tight but are weak instead. I think after chiropractic care something was damaged. I’m having left sided issue only not right side issues. Brain fog & neck pain only on one side. My primary thinks I sound insane
@Kallie - Great question. The exercises in this video are great for weak neck muscles - that's the exact intention of this video. You can do all of these even though your pain is only on one side. Sometimes the pain on the left side is coming from the left side and sometimes it's coming from the right side... Without doing my own evaluation on you, I can't say for sure what specific exercises I'd recommend. BUT! Often, what's most helpful is to restore balance in the neck, to hit the reset button. You can do that by *gently* strengthening ALL of the deeper muscles in the neck. Be sure that you use light pressure and that you do the isometrics as a circuit, meaning one repetition in each direction then repeat the entire round/circuit. You might start with just three reps and as that feels better, go to 4, then 5 reps. Be sure you're sitting in good posture. Also, hydration, sleep, nutrition, and stress management all impact the area and can cause brain fog and neck pain as well. So a more holistic approach might be helpful. Good luck!
@Kallie - Great question. The exercises in this video are great for weak neck muscles - that's the exact intention of this video. You can do all of these even though your pain is only on one side. Sometimes the pain on the left side is coming from the left side and sometimes it's coming from the right side... Without doing my own evaluation on you, I can't say for sure what specific exercises I'd recommend. BUT! Often, what's most helpful is to restore balance in the neck, to hit the reset button. You can do that by gently strengthening ALL of the deeper muscles in the neck. Be sure that you use light pressure and that you do the isometrics as a circuit, meaning one repetition in each direction then repeat the entire round/circuit. You might start with just three reps and as that feels better, go to 4, then 5 reps. Be sure you're sitting in good posture. Also, hydration, sleep, nutrition, and stress management all impact the area and can cause brain fog and neck pain as well. So a more holistic approach might be helpful. Good luck! (Sorry for the double reply - I accidentally responded from my personal RUclips account first).
@@bethwagner7022 thank you so much for getting back to me. I’m going to try these than as they seem simple and gentle. The burning pain I’m having in my neck is so intense ( i think occipital neuralgia mad per my neurologist). Although they want me to take medication I’m stubborn and want to try to fix it , or at least make it more manageable and I have found that my left side is weaker ( maybe because of the nerve ) but I’m gonna try my best to strengthen it and see if it helps. I also work with a functional medicine doctor & have a therapist due to the stress of this year so I’m attempting to work on all aspects of wellness. Just this pain is throwing me way off . Again thank you for the thorough response I appreciate it 😊
@@kallievangas9730 I'm glad to hear you are working with a team - especially a functional medicine doctor and therapist for a comprehensive health and wellness approach. For occipital neuralgia, have you tried doing suboccipital release? The best way is with a skilled therapist (physical therapist or massage therapist) but you might also try on your own with tennis balls or even your fingers... I included it in my video on headaches: ruclips.net/video/oy-rvysE2e4/видео.html. Be SUPER gentle with these. It takes very little pressure in the neck to achieve results (and also to aggravate tissues), so take these slowly, gently and listen to your body.
@@MovementFunction just want to get better 😊 so it’s odd, I’ve tried cranial sacral therapy for release & massage therapy , but my left side of the neck is so weak there’s actually no full tissue that’s irritated, it feels so weak as if my neck is “sprained” or lost muscle in a sense, but my right side is thick and full. I think since I have tightness/ shortening on one side/ weakness on the other side, it’s causing a mixture of issues . Also thank you for answering in such detail 😊
Hi Sharon! Yes, these will help for craniocervical instability, neurological symptoms and whiplash. Be sure to monitor your neurological symptoms. They should NOT move farther down the arm or up into the head (worsening headaches for example) with these exercises. They should recede toward the source (the neck), decrease in intensity and then resolve. Keep the manual resistance with the isometrics light and progress gradually. For whiplash, I'd add general range of motion sitting in good posture: Head up, head down, tilt left and right, and turn left and right. Do not do a full circle - do the movements individually and come back to the center after each one. 5 reps each. Good luck!
Hi, my neck issues are worse when I arise in the am. It’s very hard for me to get comfy, so either I sleep in the bed, sleep in a recliner or sleep on the couch. The last two make it worse for sure b/c it’s not the greatest posture. My upper traps/levator are always contracted pulling on my left side of my neck, which is then pulling on my cervical spine. Do you have any recommendations how to sleep better? I sleep like a corpse on my back. I have tried neck rolls but that isn’t comfortable. Besides cervical weakness, I’ve had two pt’s tell me I have an elevated first rib. Also, would you recommend the cervical pillow in your video? If so, what brand. Thank you soo much for any help,
L W, I would recommend the cervical pillow for you as it might be more comfortable than a cervical roll and provide similar support. And return to sleeping in bed. I'm sorry I don't have a brand recommendation as it's been a long time since I have purchased or shopped for one. I don't think you have to spend a ton of money - I suggest mid-range price point. Based on your pattern of tight and overactive traps/levator and scalenes (based on your second comment), I suggest adding some breathing exercises to your routine to help the larger muscles relax, allow your first rib to return to a normal resting position and encourage the smaller, deeper muscles to activate and engage fully. I have a video on my channel and there are a ton of other diaphragmatic breathing exercises available with a quick google search. Also, when doing the stabilization exercises, lighten up your manual resistance so that you feel the activation only in the deep neck flexors and not the scalenes. Finally, you've mentioned all left side muscular tightness... are you lopsided when you're on the computer/phone/devices, watching TV, even where you sit for meals relative to other people, etc.? Watch your posture and positioning for a day or two and see if you can identify a pattern that encourages left sided muscular guarding. Tweak your positioning and see if that helps. Good luck!
i wish she explained chin tuck a little more. my pt taught me tongue to roof of mouth to activate deep neck flexors. and eyes look dowards to activate multifidai. the two core muscle groups of the neck. Until my current PT taught me how to even use these muscles, i did chin tucks v wrong and made things worse for me in previous pts ive seen.
I have all kinds of everything stenosis C 4-7 & L 4-5 , spondylosis, compressed nerves and discs, bulging discs osteoporosis, arthritis TMJ surgeries, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, recovered from broken L 1 (2x's a yr apart) 1st time I wasn't dx properly, I fell a lot , lost major strength to the left side of my body, my left biceps would roll inwards when I'd cruel my arm, kaiser drs wanted to stop sending me to physical therapy for that , lost my core strength , I couldn't reach to put my bra on, lost my balance, my shoulder blade had shifted and was barely visible, kaiser doctors were saying I was asymmetrical, my left arm would dangle about an inch long than my right side, I tripped over a friends leg and slammed into the sliding glass door with the left side of my neck and a year from the L1 fracture the iron chair. I was standing on dipped on the slant of the patio lost my footage and it landed on my back as well as wooden slats. Because I didn't trust kaiser er I went to another emergency room and that's when I discovered I had broken my back for the second time. After I fell I laid still but if I bent wrong the floor would be the ceiling and thats when I decided it wasn't a concussion. The apartment was slanted and I was constantly be loosing my balance. My left knee folds and or buckles. And the only thing kaiser doctors want to do is operate my neck. Well I rehab myself doing made up exercises like holding my biceps in place while curling to little by little adding weights. I had no core muscle ,so I would crawl on my memory foam mattress like a baby and while in all fours I would slowly do push up to help strengthen my upper body cause my arms would fold and I'd face plant. I also bought a wabble board and in the threshold I would hold on to dear life til I was able to balance without holding on. I would squat by using a chair slowly sitting properly til I WAS able to do 1 or 2 squats without the chair. Well after getting myself able take care of myself 6 months later , I opt to get a job. After working as a cashier., Just my luck , after management closes a lane due to customers complaining it was ' SLIPPERY ' I, me , NO CONE, I PRESUME it was cleaned up. And I walk over to talk to a coworker and I go flying on my lumbar , left shoulder, head ,displaced rt pinky toe , I was knock unconscious, caused pain from head to toe. My coworker finally wakes my I come to and am very embarrassed so I turn over to get up put my left foot under me to have it slide out hurt my left foot and knee...lol ETC.... ENDED UP WITH Now EDEMA in my lumbar spine , worsening the stenosis my right foot still swollen, my head still hurt oh yeah my hands slipped apart and I wacked my left side of the corner by my eye my head doesn't stop buzzing now. I'm in major pain worse than the 2 broken backs put together. And now workers comp and WC doctors and the manager that never put a cone up are questioning my injuries and not getting proper care except for my awesome chiropractor. But now I need a referral due to the WC case. Omg... trying to fix myself but bearing weight on my feet hurts like hell. Norco's barely take the edge off. I believe I was told I had fractured the top of my right foot my driving foot constant pain in my entire back...lol I've been basically going from recovery to recovery and no emotional support either UGH!!! LOL...THANK YOU FOR IN ADVANCE FOR ANYONE'S ADVICE!! I AM VERY MUCH OPEN FROM R SUGGESTIONS AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME VENT...☺️
Hello Beth, I had a car accidents about 15 years ago in which sustained whiplash and have been going to a chiropractor ever since. My issue is that my atlas on the right side tend to not stay in it's proper position which shortens my leg and cause headaches, burning sensation on the lower back of the skull, feeling drained etc.. Sometimes it holds and sometimes it doesn't. Will this help in getting my Atlas to stay aligned? If not, do you know what can help? Thanks
Chava Chava, yes, this will help your Atlas stay aligned. And you might benefit from my upper cervical stabilization video even more. ruclips.net/video/Ya9q-uN6y0A/видео.html
When I do exercises on my neck, I change the tone of ringing in my ears. Is this significant in any way? As a side note, your videos are extremely helpful, and I thank you.
Sue, you're very welcome and thank you for your comment/question. Yes, I think it's significant and not uncommon for exercises in the neck to affect the ears (specifically tinnitus) as they are connected in several ways. In general, it would be concerning if the severity or frequency of ringing worsened, otherwise I think it's a positive sign that continued work on your neck might decrease or even resolve the ringing... can't guarantee that of course but it's possible. Also try to note if changes occur with other activities/movements as well as your posture and sleep position.
Thank you for your video. I am wondering if this is what I am currently experiencing. Would this condition also be a reason for facial pain? I sometimes also hear a crackling sound in my neck and I am not sure what that is but would these excersises help with that as well?
Yolanda, there are many possible causes of facial pain, some of them quite serious, and I strongly recommend further medical evaluation. While these exercises are generally safe, I suggest finding the cause of your facial pain before trying any treatment.
@@MovementFunction Other videos regarding acerbically instability address facial pain by explaining trigemenal nerve impingement. Something like that. I’m sure that person is probably experiencing that.
@Sahejpreet - It depends on the cause of the instability and there is a great deal of difference between individuals as well. Even if it isn't cured, it can often be managed well with postural correction and stabilization exercises.
I’m looking for exercises that can restore the natural shape of my upper back. I have a flatback but only in the upper back. I’m trying to mobilize the midback more but I also need strengthening for the upper back. Do you have a video on that?
what about ligaments...I've read instability stems from weakened ligaments that puts more strain on the muscles. when the vagus nerve is compromised it can lead to systemic issues ie : poor digestion and leaky gut which can trigger autoimmune issues and create even more inflammation leading to joint degeneration bcuz of lack of nutrient absorption leading to even more instability from weakened discs and muscles. I suspect this was my case for years and it got worse when i was under severe stress. I further aggravated what was happening in my neck by carrying about 15 30lb bags of garden stones across my upper back/base of neck. the next day my whole body started going crazy with pain and neurological issues and it just kept getting worse every few days, weeks, months and now one year. causing weight/muscle loss and burning throughout my spine. every time i try to do neck strengthening exercises my neck gets worse then my symptoms get worse :(( I think I may need cervical correction first before strengthening my muscles. something is definitely off line in my neck and I now feel crunching and cracking when i move my head in certain positions. started getting pain, numbness/tingling and weakness in my arms and even fingers start to swell. my eyesight gets blurry at times and I get these crazy burning headaches up over the sides of my head from my neck. feels like a hot blade is being dragged over my head to my eye.
@@i-3307 I’m so afraid of chiropractors now. I believe the one I saw in 2019 actually made me worse and accelerated my condition to the point where just the wrong move set all these issues I’m having now in motion in 2020
I agree that you likely need spinal correction before strengthening cervical muscles. I strongly recommend seeking consultation with a neurologist and/or a orthopedic spinal specialist. With such severity, duration and worsening of neurological symptoms, I'd take this seriously and seek out qualified medical specialists in your area for imaging and options for further treatment.
Hi. Thank you for this! How do you know if you are suffering from cervical instability versus a vestibular issue? I dont know which it is since the sympyoms are so similar. Is it harmful to do your vestibular exercises if your problem is Cranio cervical? Love your videos!!
Hi Becky. You're welcome and I'm glad you like my videos! The simplest way to know if your symptoms are coming from a cervical condition or a vestibular condition is if the symptoms occur with consistent positioning or specific movements of your head/neck. But this isn't clear cut and seeing a physical therapist is the best way to be certain of the underlying cause and to establish an individualized treatment plan. Cervical instability is a specific diagnosis of joint laxity and caution should be exercised with exercises that involve a lot of neck motion, like VOR. I posted a video on cervicogenic dizziness which includes exercises specifically for dizziness that is caused by dysfunction (not necessarily instability) in the cervical spine. This is a muddy area... The best thing is to see a medical professional for evaluation.
@@MovementFunction Hi Beth. Thank you so much for your opinion and professional input. I have yet to see a P.T. I'm in Miami awaiting a referral. I will see one. I didn't know they can tellwhich it is. That works be so helpful. As the doctor I've been seeing. A neurologist has not specified test to rule out cervical issues so i feel at a loss and this is so hard to go through without knowing where the proper course is.
Becky, yes, a good PT will perform a thorough history and exam, including clinical tests, to determine the cause of symptoms. While I can't promise he/she will be able to fully rule in or rule out any diagnosis, they will be able to give you a much better idea of what is going on and start you on a specific, individualized treatment plan. Also, it is possible (I've seen it) to have both cervical involvement and vestibular involvement, meaning dysfunction is occurring in both the vestibular organ(s) and the cervical spine. This can be very muddy and usually requires a more complex treatment plan to address everything but I've seen people make huge improvement and fully recover, so there is hope!! Hang in there! Until you can get in to see the PT, doing the cervical stabilization exercises won't make any vestibular dysfunction worse and is probably helpful for a large part of the general population, so go for it. For vestibular exercises, I suggest trying the cervicogenic dizziness video first because it's the most gentle on the neck and if you have cervicogenic dizziness, you'll already be on the treatment path. Also, I suggest diaphragmatic breathing exercises to help your entire nervous system relax. ruclips.net/video/04Z4t9udlmo/видео.html
@@sl4983 Asking your doctor is a good first step. You could also find a physical therapist in your area and contact them to ask what is required. A physical therapist can evaluate you without having an x-ray first. If their professional opinion is that you need an x-ray, they will share that recommendation. That also depends on your diagnosis, history of injury, etc. Good question for your doctor..
Hi Beth, great video. Was just wondering your opinion. I suffer from neck issues but I'm mostly concerned about the debilitating neurological symptoms. I tried very briefly doing 1 set of each exercise just to test it out and it already made a difference; however, I was wondering if this is something I'll have to do forever or do most people (I don't have EDS or any connective tissue disorder that I'm aware of) get back to a level of normal that they may have been at in the past? And lastly, what do you think about prolotherapy in the neck? Seems a bit sketchy to me.
Great questions. It is certainly possible to restore a level of normal that is maintainable without exercise (or minimal exercise). That is, if posture and daily activity support healthy alignment, muscle balance and function in the neck... Poor posture, repetitive motion, and other provocative movements can throw things off in the neck at any time. Ongoing performance of the exercises helps maintain balance and prevent a relapse. How much is necessary for maintenance varies greatly, for some it's daily, for others a couple times/week or even once/month as a refresher/reset. Best way to determine that is to do them daily for a couple weeks, then reduce to every other day and so on until you find a frequency that works, which might be symptom-free living without exercises. As for prolotherapy, I'm skeptical of trendy treatments. I've heard mixed anecdotal reports and haven't seen any substantial supporting evidence. Thanks for your comment and questions!
@@MovementFunction Thank you for the informative response, which makes sense fundamentally. I used to jolt my head upwards over and over (nervous tic) which is what I believe threw my neck out years ago (repetitive movements). How do you receive donations? Do you have a Bitcoin Cash wallet address? I'll try your exercise routine for a couple weeks. I'd like to send a small amount that I have since you're providing your works for free.
@@anythinggoes5574 Yes, that mechanism of repetitive injury makes sense. Good work on recovering from the nervous tic and moving on to stabilization! I hope these exercises help you a great deal over the coming weeks. Thank you very much for your offer of a financial donation! That means a lot to me! I am not currently receiving donations; however, the best way to support my work is to subscribe to my channel, click the thumbs up and share the videos with your loved ones who might benefit from the content. Your comments are already a source of support and I appreciate your generosity!
Hi i got a whiplash, someone hit my car from backside. My upper arm muscles and shoulders are weak. While pressing it kind of cause stretch and pain in them. What do you recommend for that . Please let me know . Thank you
Simran, great question. Muscle aches are very common after whiplash, but definitely see a doctor to be sure there isn't a more serious injury. If you've been checked out by a medical professional and you're ready for exercises, check out the videos in my playlist focused on shoulders. Start out with light resistance or no resistance to get moving again without pain.
Ma’am I’ve been having severe headache , dizziness , ear fullness complete , loss of concentration and balance and my head feels so heavy I’m not able to do any basic activities . I have a diagnosis for c5-c7 disc bulge with mild the cal indentation . Moreover for the past three months I’ve been having my neck in a flexed position for more than 12 hours per day due to my exams since I have a biscuit bulge in my L5 I lie down and study that caused my cervical bulge . I consulted the neurologist , ent and orthopedic they find nothing wrong . My pain is traveling towards my occipital and I don’t have pain in my neck and hands , the exercises I’m doing don’t seems to provide any relief . Can you please suggest anything it will be helpful . I have really lost all hope
The flexed position of your neck while studying needs to change in order to decrease your symptoms. No exercises can help as long as you're in a flexed position for 12 hours but I understand you need to study for your exams. Have you tried to study while lying on your stomach propped up on your elbows? This will help your back and your neck. I used to do this a lot in school. Try it for 10-15 minutes at a time, gently pulling your shoulders back and away from your ears, and do a small cervical retraction so that your chin is not hanging forward. Try adding pillows under your upper chest to support your weight. Make sure you're taking breaks from studying to go for a short walk (even 5 minutes helps), drink a glass of water, and do a few breathing exercises every hour. The intensity of your studying might be a factor and taking breaks to decrease the stress will help all your symptoms. And taking breaks will help you perform better on exams. Good luck and all the best!
Katie, thanks for your comment and question. In general, I recommend 2x/day but it's definitely best to ask your PT about the exercises and how they might fit in best with your existing program. Good luck and all the best to you!
Hello Galaxy Wanderer! Greetings from Hawaii to you in Europe! A diagnosis of cervical spine instability (which is actually ligamentous instability rather than disc instability) is made based on a combination of imaging (x-ray, CT, MRI, etc.,) and history, including symptoms. These exercises are indeed helpful for many people regardless of any official diagnosis, so I am glad they are working for you! Cheers!
Hi, i love this. is there any degree of instability that can not be reversed by physical therapy exercises? I have other issues that may require surgery but does the instability require surgery?
Elle, yes, cases of severe instability often require surgery to stabilize the cervical column. The exercises are still helpful for postural awareness/correction and to strengthen the supporting muscles but might not be enough to stabilize the cervical spine.
Hi again I've been doing the chin tucks to try and help my suboccipital muscles after I've done them the muscles seem to stiffen up and when I go to bed the next day they are stiff still and after a few hours of moving about they loosen but still feel very weakened like my neck is all over the place when I am turning my head I was just wondering will the chin tucks strengthen the suboccipital muscles if they are weak or will it make them worse if so is there any other kind of exercise that will target the muscles ? Thank you for you time x
Martin, the chin tucks strengthen the deep neck flexors and the isometrics (also in this video) strengthen all of the neck muscles that provide stabilization, including the suboccipitals. Keep the chin tuck movement gentle if you're feeling a bobble head sense the next day.
Mateen Foster, it depends on the cause of your eustachian tube dysfunction. If poor posture or cervical spine instability/weakness is part of the issue, then these exercises will help. Often there is a connection between cervical spine dysfunction and the ears - exercises focused on stretching and flexibility might be helpful for you, too. Check out the other videos in my cervical spine playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQ3ggWrvWXyDJVrzhPt426qDB7wCrsFqo
Yes, that's a great option for the weightbearing exercise. Be sure that you're doing a slight cervical retraction for neutral spinal alignment (don't let your head sag or lower into forward head posture).
Are these exercises appropriate for someone with a misaligned C2 vertebra? Mine is rotated down, and the the right. I have chiari 1, CCI, and hEDS as well. I'm in pain constantly, but the hard collar neck brace I was prescribed isn't great. I'm also only allowed to wear it for 1-2 hours a day. I'm desperate for some relief!
Please check with your doctor to be sure these exercises are appropriate for you. Or request a physical therapy referral for individualized evaluation and treatment to determine the best specific exercises for you.
@Dorothy. No need to stretch before doing these exercises. Just be sure you're sitting with good posture, so if you need to do a short warm up to straighten your posture, that's fine.
I just did these exercises, only the sitting ones. I felt it in the deep cervical muscles, however, I also felt it in the scalenes on the left on all of the sitting exercises. Any thoughts? Thank you.
You are going to feel it in your scale nes at first , you have to focus all your effort to only feel it in the deep cervical muscles it takes practice and much effort.
Yes they are okay for neck subluxation. Make sure you are doing them in good posture. I recommend starting weight lifting exercises with lighter weights, 5 lbs to start and work your way up as your neck tolerates it.
Yes, that is a possibility. Constant adjustment over a long time can cause hypermobility, which can cause instability. I recommend weaning off chiropractic care. It is not bad overall but when done too often and without exercise for strengthening and maintaining flexibility, it just perpetuates dysfunction in the cervical spine.
In an MRI scan: straightening of the cervical spine is seen so is this exercise would be good? I have so much pain all the time also my exam is coming plz help me .. which exercise should be done so can i feel better .. I hope you will surely reply ...thank you..
Straightening of the spine alone doesn't mean much. Pain is not directly related to imaging results. I am sorry I can not say which exercises would be best for you. Hopefully your upcoming exam will include range of motion, strength, movement patterns, posture and more, so that a clear diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment started. I wish you all the best.
I have cervical lordosis mam with swelling on my back bone,with neck pain and i can't breath properly, by these excersise i can straighten my back bone or not
Anitha, normal alignment in the neck is slight lordosis. Perhaps you have too much lordosis, but a straight spine is not the ideal alignment. There is normal lordosis in the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine) and there is kyphosis (opposite curve to lordosis) in the mid back (thoracic spine). These exercise will help restore normal alignment by correcting posture and strengthening the muscles that support the cervical spine.
Stephen, the isometrics might help realign the upper cervical vertebrae if activating the deeper cervical musculature is enough to correct the alignment. The primary goal is to maintain alignment.
I have cervical instability mostly via ehlers-danlos syndrome and am struggling very much to fix all the compression like on my vagus nerve and symptoms pots and gut leaking and feel all my issues stem from cervical instability and if I fix that I would be fine. I have a long wait to get treatment so idk what to do I also have chronic prostatitis and everything hurts and don't know what to start with. I don't want to have to ask for a doctors permission to do these stretches because they haven't even given me permission to get treatment at all like no one understands my suffering at all I feel and a lot of this is like too complicated like I feel like I'm too far gone to even do simple chin tucks but I'm trying to do a lot I just don't know if I'm doing things right I wonder what I should do I don't trust myself to mimic these stretches correctly or what all I should do
Jeremy, in your situation it's very important to see a physical therapist for evaluation and treatment instead of trying to do exercises on your own. And only after your doctor recommends it. With your complex medical history, it sounds like your doctors are still determining the best course of treatment, which might not include exercises yet. It's important to follow their advice so that you don't make anything worse. Please take care and be safe. All the best to you.
Can you please answer to me, i beg you, i am desperate. I am constantly light headed especially when im up or when i move my head to side. I did ct scan for brain, blood tests, eye check up and ct, everything and they say im fine. The only thing i know for sure is what neck mri showed. Changes in the vertebral statics of the cervical spine. Small posterior disc protrusion C3-C4, without detectable disc-radicular conflicts. Small posterior disc protrusion C4-C5, without detectable disc-radicular conflicts. C5-C6 left postero-lateral disc protrusion, having preforaminal root contact with the left C6 spinal nerve . I didnt have dizzines, just huge neck pain and headache, ever since(7 months) Ive been going to physiotherapist. The pain completely gone but 2 months i m dizzy and is just getting worse. Is it possible to be because my neck became so weak , cause every 3 days i am going to therapy and all they do is neck massage, pulling and no exercises? What should i do? Please help me i dont know what path to follow. I lost my job cause i am so lighheaded cant go work.
I see now that you are going to a physio - I responded to your other comment before I saw this one... I think that strengthening and stabilizing exercises are very important. I suggest trying the exercises in this video daily for at least three weeks and see how you feel. If you feel better, keep doing them... If you feel worse (more dizzy and lightheaded, stop doing them). While it sounds like the new symptoms are related to your neck, there can be many other causes of dizziness and lightheadedness, such as medication side effects... and much more. It might be helpful to see your doctor again or find a new doctor and new physio for a second opinion. All the best!
@@lumibubu8857 Getting a second opinion can be helpful for a doctor to look at your history, listen to your symptoms and determine the best tests that fit you to see what is going on.
Tamara, these exercises strengthen the deep neck muscles that support the cervical spine. Be sure to check with your doctor and/or surgeon before you start any exercise program and you might benefit from requesting a referral for a physical therapist in your area to create an individualized exercise program for you. If you'd like to talk about it further, you're welcome to send me a private note via the contact link on my website and I'll get back to you. movementfunctionpt.com/.
My bouts with BPPV have disappeared after Epleys maneuvers, and doing vestibular exercises seem to "clear my head" somewhat. But now, most of my dizziness still occurs when lying on my back, head over edge of bed, and lifting my head upwards. Should I continue to replicate these movements (although i get a little motion sickness) to train my neck/ears/eyes/brain? Thank you.
Jerry Buck, is your dizziness a sensation of room spinning (vertigo), like you felt with BPPV? The position you describe is actually a special test, called the Head Hanging Test, for anterior canal BPPV. BPPV in the anterior (aka superior) canal is very rare and the Epley maneuver treats only the posterior canal, which is the most common canal involved in BPPV. Check out this video for a great demo of the Deep Head Hanging Maneuver to treat anterior (superior) canal BPPV: ruclips.net/video/qw1QciZWfP0/видео.html. Have a friend or family member with you to help with the maneuver. All the best!
@@MovementFunction The dizziness is not quite on the level of a BPPV room spin, except for one time it did trigger an all out room spinning event that lasted a couple of hours. I'm looking forward to the head hanging test. Ill attempt that tonite when all my activities are done, keep you posted... thank you so much Dr!!!
Last night the head hanging test resulted in a 2 to 3 second blast of extreme unpleasantness when my head was lifted up to the tucked chin position. There was no spinning or eye twitching. This morning I did the hanging head test two more times. The unpleasantness had decreased quite substantially. I'm beginning to think more therapy involving my neck holding my head up in various positions might provide more relief. The nauseous feeling after performing the tests has also diminished. Have any other patients observed this phenomena? And again, thank you so much for the help!
Hello, Just a quick question. are these exercises ok to do for minimal grade 1 of c7 on T1? I want to strengthen my neck, prob why I have this. What do you think? Thank you for your time
Hello L W. I think they are okay, but be sure to check with your doctor before doing them. I think the isometrics will be helpful for strengthening the small stabilizing muscles that surround your cervical spine. Keep the pressure very light. Work around in a circle, i.e., do one rep of flex, then left side bend, then ext, then right side, then left and right rotation. Or flex, ext, L side, R side, L rotation, R rotation. Do that circuit 5x. Basically, don't do 5 reps in the same direction in a row. Also, try alternating which hand provides the resistance for balance between your left and right shoulder girdles. Better yet, use a small playground ball (can buy on Amazon or at Walmart, etc.) and press into the wall in each direction so that you don't have to apply the resistance with your arm.
Asrock Me, these exercises may help if your symptoms are caused by cervical spine instability, but it is very important to get a clear diagnosis. I suggest seeing your physician and if possible, see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation.
Hi, i injured my neck when I was about 13(my neck got freezed I couldn't move it and it was painful when I try)Chiropractor came and fixed it, that was 7 years ago. 3 years ago my father died and anxiety deteriorated me mentally and I started noticing symptoms of cervical instability.I feel small force pushing my neck in opposite side when trying to move neck to side, which sometimes causes small and fast neck jerks. When I try really to slowly move my neck from left to right and right to left I would get stronger shakiness that people usually doesn't see and doesn't even feel when they put hand on my neck, but it's definitely there and it made me to make posture even worse than it already was.Neurologic examination was ok as well as eeg,so I don't know what to think.I wanted to ask you if you think if my symptoms really are caused by cervical instability. For start I scheduled same chiropractor that helped my first time, for next Wednesday. (I have more symptoms but I can't remember them all, ex:tinnitus, neck muscle weakness...)
I have only small pain in some positions, which is the reason why I'm scared that it's irreversible because people usually have more pain connected with neck instability
People think that it's either psychological or atrophy of neck muscles because I really haven't moved them much because of depression and anxiety and I'm definitely unconsciously thightening them
L P, it sounds like there is a lot going on with your neck and in connection with emotional difficulties, which is quite common. Since you've been noticing symptoms of cervical instability and weakness in your neck muscles, I think you've chosen the best exercises to start with in this video - cervical stabilization exercises. Also, since you haven't been moving much, basic active range of motion exercises would likely be helpful too, such as in this video: ruclips.net/video/Z3HBBN3roB8/видео.html. Finally breathing exercises to relax your nervous system would likely be helpful: ruclips.net/video/04Z4t9udlmo/видео.html. All the best to you!
What if I get sharp pain down my back/scapula on the left side when performing isomeric lateral flexion? It’s only on one side. What muscle could this be that’s strained? Thanks!
David, you're likely experiencing pain radiating down the back/scapula due to a pinched nerve. Tightness in the scalenes and/or levator scapula compressing a nerve is a strong possibility. I suggest using less force when doing the isometrics.
can i ask a question? one thing i havent understood about the chin tuck... when i do it (moving head back and keeping chin area down and in.. (but not "looking down (flexing))... my c spine seems to become even straighter> i start out, i guess with a bit of reverse curve at least... i just wanted to ask about the chin tuck.. being decent at recruiting the inner neck muccles (as opposed to the big lumpy front neck flexors :(... how come it seems to straightned the spine, whilst still being a productive ex. apparently for postur, proprioception? and at least fwd head posture?? God speed
Beakford clakington, the goal of the chin tuck is primarily to correct posture to midline, specifically to come out of forward head posture. Returning to the normal curve in midline might seem to be straightening relative to the excessive extension in the upper cervical spine and flexion in the lower cervical spine that occurs with forward head posture. I hope that helps! All the best.
It depends on why the scalene is overworked... if it's due to compensation for cervical instability, then yes, these will help. If it's a postural issue, muscle imbalance due to poor body mechanics, or other cause, then these exercises won't hurt but also won't really help much. You'll need to address the underlying cause. Typically, what helps is to correct your posture and body mechanics during the positions and movements that led to the scalenes being overworked. Check out my other videos including posture correction: ruclips.net/video/rk7DB7q8frM/видео.html. All the best!
zainab kagdi, these exercises target the entire cervical spine, including c5 and c7. Since c7 is the last of the cervical vertebrae, you might also benefit from my lower cervical spine stabilization video: ruclips.net/video/ccFXfeRSoLo/видео.html. I have posted other videos for the neck that might be helpful for you as well. Check out this playlist that I created for the neck: ruclips.net/p/PLQ3ggWrvWXyDJVrzhPt426qDB7wCrsFqo
The pillow I used in the video is very old, not sure where I purchased it, but there are many similar ones on Amazon, like this one: amzn.to/3v9rCcp. I also posted this video reviewing the Groove EasySleeper contour pillow: ruclips.net/video/Kg5T0cYg74M/видео.html
Yash, there are many potential causes of vision and focusing problems. These exercises help if the cause is cervical instability. Also be sure to monitor your posture while looking at the computer screen and studying. Forward head posture and slouched posture can contribute to vision and focus problems.
I just want to say thank you. I've had intense brain fog and migraine for going on 2 months straight now. Did these exercises for 4 days and my migraine is 80% gone, my eyes are no longer hard, I'm not getting shooting pains up the right side of my face, and my neck isn't as stiff as a brick.
These exercises have totally improved my gastroparesis.
These are fantastic. I have many unstable vertebrae in my neck with a lot of chronic pain, especially the upper parts, but every exercise I tried irritated the disk degeneration at the base of my neck. I thought neck strengthening was hopeless for that reason, but isometric strengthening completely gets around that issue.
Beth, I feel your videos are the best I've found online in years on these topics. Excellent work!
Thank you! These exercises have helped me so much.
Dear Beth,
I wish to thank you for your generosity, and wise instructions given with patience and affection.
I was diagnosed with cervical spine destabilization, which has caused me tinnitus and deafness. After a thousand attempts nothing worked.
Following your generous advice, I felt, for the first time since the first day, a favorable reaction. I am infinitely grateful for your kindness and dedication.
May God fill you with plenty of blessings.🙏
Fernando, you are most welcome and I am so glad that these videos are helping you! Thank you for taking the time to write these comments and send me your feedback. Thank you for your blessings and I send you blessings in return!
U need to get regenerative treatment on those lax ligaments/ tendons my friend. Cervical instability is due to lax soft tissue
Hello from Brasil, i have spine problems over 2 years, and Thats exercises Help me A LOT, i wont can breathe, and have facial alterarions and now Its so much better, im Sorry for the language, but really really thanks
Hello Pedro in Brasil! You're welcome and thank you for the comment. I'm happy that these exercises are helping you so much! All the best to you.
Thank you for all the videos, I am going through a very bad time and these videos helped a lot. We are glad we have you. You are the most magnificent, most knowledgeable, most humble person I have ever seen.
Wow you’re a godsend! Thank you for this video it really made a huge difference, my whole upper thoracic and cervical spine re-aligned in just one round, all the issues went away like magic! I will keep doing these, thanks again!
Ferran van den Bos, that's so fantastic to hear!!! I'm thrilled that you responded so well to these exercises. Yes, keep doing them daily for at least a couple weeks. Then I recommend continuing them at least a couple days per week for maintenance. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I love you so much for this. This is exactly what I needed, thank you thank you. You have no idea how grateful I am
You're most welcome and I'm glad this video is helping you!
I LOVE IT!! OMG I CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE!!!
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!🌹💞🥰🙌🙏😇😁💕👍
Thank you. I was told when I wobble on trying to stand still, it's my neck. These feel just right. Thank you again
You're welcome, Thomas. Glad these exercises feel just right for you.
Thanks you very much for these broke my neck an I’m 5 months post op after cervical neck fusion from c4 to t2 real eager to lift weights but I know I’m not ready for ‘em so thanks for these for the time being
Just tried these. Nice release and relief. Hopeful they will help. I will definitely try them daily.
Your video is clear and informative and has been helpful with my shoulders and neck problems. Thank you 🙏
I have heds and cci. This is perfect for me bc I don't have health insurance to go to PT right now and im in bed a lot. Worried my neck is weakening. I've had good luck with these exercises so far and I'm going to try sitting on an exercise ball (to engage my core) while doing them. Also helps to look at your posture in a mirror.
Holly Lisa, I'm so glad these exercises are helping you! Great idea to do them sitting on an exercise ball for core engagement and to utilize mirror feedback for posture and to see what muscles are being activated. When/if you feel ready to progress the exercises, check out the intermediate level video I just posted: ruclips.net/video/Hjpcyx4rJ1Q/видео.html. No rush, don't hurry, but it's there for you when/if you want it.
Thank you. I can tell these exercises will strengthen my neck muscles and ligaments. Feeling relief already just following along with this video
Thank you, this was easy and helpful.
Thanks for the video ❤ I have been doing this video for a while and I really feel improvement, it is a very useful exercise for me
Thanks a ton for this video mam, i am facing these problems for more than five years and none of the doctors could diagnose or identify this. I have started these exercises and starting to see the change. Hope to get better with this, thankyou.
You're very welcome and I'm glad you found my channel. It's great to hear you're noticing change. Thank you for sharing your progress! All the best for healing and recovery!
How are u now?
Great exercises. THANKS
Does anyone with cervical instability have dizziness or a floating sensation and will these exercises help with that?
@Tammy, it is not uncommon to feel dizziness and a floating sensation with cervical instability and these exercises will help resolve that. Be sure that you're following up with your doctor regularly as there are other causes of dizziness and a floating sensation that require medical attention.
Hi Tammy,
Did you get solution for dizziness or floating sensation?
Full on vertigo. Went to the ER. Checked the other stuff out. More i read i am convinced this is the cause. I was whipped around on a tractor the day before. I remember hearing a crunchy noise at the base of my skull. Think I stretched a ligament. Terrible feeling ever since.
I've had this dizziness and floating sensation for a long time, when turnung my head or body, or doing a sudden movement. The cause was a cervical protrusion, at C2-C3. What helped me was massaging deeply the area around those cervical vertebraes, by pushing a masage ball, hard against a wall with my neck. Give it a try,it was a life saver for me.
Yes although mine hasn't been diagnosed officially everything I've studied on my symptoms leads me to believe this is what I have.
Thank you so much, I got vertigo when I was in college when I did fencing and now I believe I have vagus nerve damage
Hey Beth thanks for your great videos I love them. But do I have to do them my hole life every day when I have cervical instability? Or can I stopped when my pain is gone?
Or for how long should I do these exercises? Thanks Vera ❤
Hi Vera, I'm so glad you like my videos. I recommend doing them every day when you have symptoms and then 2-3x/week for maintenance. Think of them like brushing your teeth or clipping your nails, or other things you do on a regular basis to maintain your health.
Thank you, very useful. Simple and clear explanation and many variations of exercises.
You're welcome. Thank you for your comment and I hope these exercises are helpful for you.
@@MovementFunction ❤️
Thank you for sharing, very welled explained!
You are welcome, Eric. I am glad you like the video.
Thank you so much for posting this! I’m 23 and after an injury to my upper neck (that doctors cannot locate so they say that I’m fine), I’ve been bedridden due to pain and worsening neurological symptoms. No doctors locally will listen or evaluate me - to say I’m miserable is an understatement, I’m borderline suicidal from this. Hoping to see some improvement, even if the pain in my head doesn’t totally resolve as long as neuro symptoms can lessen/go away I feel like I can live with it at this point. I just want to be able to go to school. Is there anything I can do for ligament strengthening on top of muscle strengthening? Don’t want to create more issues by having that be unbalanced (if that makes sense). Thanks!!
Hello, I was like u 3 years ago. I had many different issues don't give up I got better and so can u. I am not gone a lie I still have symptoms but they are not as severe. If u ever want a talk let me know. Good luck
Grace, these exercises strengthen the deep muscles all around the neck gently and evenly to build support that is balanced. When the neck is supported by a balanced muscular system, pressure is taken off the ligaments. Once they are no longer overstretched, they can begin to heal and recover naturally. There are other treatments available focused on connective tissue (including ligaments), such as prolotherapy. I don't have a specific opinion for or against those treatments but I mention it as an option for treating ligaments specifically. All the best!!
@@pedropassament4299 Hi Pedro ! I would love to know what did you do to improve your situation? I have theses issues after wiplash and violent chiro adjustment , also maybe EDS . Would love any tips or info, thanks a million and i am glad you are better it gives us hope!
I know exactly what you mean. I am going through this now. You are not alone and remember things can and will get better. It's dark now but it wont stay that way forever dont give up. Hope you are doing okay. This thing is no joke, truly horrific. It's my faith in God that has kept me from giving up.
How are you now??
Thank you!!! I had the same problem before but now got worse with dizziness. I will follow your exercises
I've been suffering with dizziness. I have not been diagnosed with anything yet; however, I believe it has to do with my neck. How has your dizziness progressed? Did it get better with these exercises? Thank you
It got better. I still doing it
Thank you for making this video! I’ve had a issue with my neck for a while now. All often get a little zap of vertigo or a floating sensation if I’m laying in my recliner. And I know to adjust my neck. When I sleep in my bed I sleep on my stomach and my chin needs to be tucked in to my chest. Because if I slide my head up I’ll get dizzy. And I can’t look up long. I’m excited to get these a try after reading some of the comments. Thanks again!
Bigrimz, you're welcome! I'm glad you found my videos. You may also benefit from checking out my video on cervicogenic dizziness: ruclips.net/video/O-6eV34Ny_c/видео.html. There are additional exercises in that video that I think may help you. All the best!
Love the demonstration for the cervical neck!🤗
Hi Beth, I hope you see this. I just have a question. I have shoulder issues that is causing major neck issues. I was reading pros and cons of doing isometric neck strengthening. Here are the cons: On the other hand, the cons of isometric training are:
Nervous system fatigue.
Cardiovascular system can be affected as well.
Increase blood pressure.
Affects coordination, and.
Decreases soft tissue elasticity.
Are any of these true? Just curious and is there a way around them. Thank you
Hi LW, I apologize for the delay in responding to your question. I have not had any patient experience the 'cons' mentioned. I don't know where that information came from, but I suppose if one used a great deal of resistance and held their breath at the same time, the excessive isometric exertion could have side effects. In the video, I specifically included the instruction of using light resistance and continuing to breathe. With light resistance and consistent breathing, I don't see those cons occurring. Now, as with many other exercises, if someone has a history of cardiovascular disease, arterial blockages, or other significant issues, there could be side effects. If you have other conditions or concerns, definitely check with your doctor.
these are awesome thankyou
Daniel, you're welcome. Glad you like them.
Love yooouu, thanks for this, I don't have any cervical issue but I have a pretty weak and tense neck. I want to improve my stability on the neck and I've noticed that the tightness of my hip, and inactivity of my shoulders is linked deeply to the tightness of my neck.
Any advice or routine for later in the process when I've incorporated all of these tucks and holds for a while? I'm think about doing it for a month, but then hopefully there's a minimalist approach I can abord so I have more time for some other type of training.
Thanks alot, realy helped me.. 🌸
Amel, you're welcome. Glad the exercises helped you. Thank you for your comment!
Very nice exercises i relief pain few minutes
Wonderful! Glad they're helping you!
Thank you!
You're welcome, Ken!
Hello Beth,
Thank you for the video. I’ve had X-rays of my neck and have compressed disc between c5-6 with joint space decrease about 50%. I hear/ feel lots of little crunching or clicking/ popping as I turn my head in any direction. Is this a symptom of cervical instability? I have been diagnosed with it. Thank you
Hello Lisa, crunching and clicking during cervical rotation could be a symptom of cervical instability and many other diagnoses, including stenosis. A good diagnosis is based on a combination of x-ray findings, symptoms and many other details of the entire person. All the best!
@@MovementFunction don’t most people get this scrunching and clicking?
fabulous. Just what I needed to see. Great explanation Thank you.
@ Cara - You're welcome. Thank you for your comment and I'm happy to hear these exercises are helpful for you.
thank you very good information.
Subscribed! God bless you🙏🏻❤️
Thanks for subbing! All the best to you!
Very Good presentation.
Thanks for this video
I'm so happy I found your video. I've been experiencing issues with my Atlas. It keeps coming out. Worked with several Orthogonal chiropractors for 1.5 years and had prolotherapy. They all said this is this issue. With my Atlas keep popping out will these excercises help to stabalize my neck muscles and ligaments allowing the atlas to stay in its proper alignment? Im also experiencing neurological issues. Thank you
Farian, yes, these exercises will strengthen the deep neck muscles that support and stabilize the cervical spine on all sides of the neck. Do them with very light resistance, hardly any pressure at all, in order to activate the small, deep muscles and make sure you are sitting in neutral posture. All the best!
@@MovementFunction THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
I‘m struggling with the same problem! Did you find something that has helped you? Did these exercises help? My atlas won‘t stay in place and is causing alot of pain… Thank you
Hi! Thank you so much for these exercises! How long do you think will it take to strengthen these muscles if I do these exercises 2x a day? I‘m in a lot of pain due to an atlas instability and it‘s very hard to stay patient… thank you very much.
While everyone is unique in their healing time, it typically takes about six weeks to see noticeable improvement, although you may start to feel better sooner. Stay with it, try to be patient. You can do it. All the best!
epic, thank you!
This released tension in places i have been trying to get to through massage for YEARS. wow thankyou. I will be doing these daily to see if I can make a dent in my chronic neck pain and issues.
Question: I felt pain on one side only with the diagonal pressure one, and found in general one side didn't feel it even need strengthening but the other I struggled with the same movement. Is this level of muscle imbalance normal? Thanks so much 🙏🙏🙏
Emma Jenkinson, you're most welcome! That's fantastic you were able to release some deeply held tension and you're continuing the exercises daily!! Muscle imbalance as you describe is very common and these exercises are a great way to restore balance. It usually takes time, many repetitions (gentle), and paying attention to what you're feeling, which you're already doing. Equally important is to notice if there are positions and movements in your daily activity that contribute to the imbalance, such as poor posture, consistently turning your head or leaning to one side while working on computer/phone, etc., even doing a lot of work using your dominant arm. You might experiment with adjusting your posture, positioning and use of your arms, then see if you notice any difference. I'm so glad you're on the road to improved balance in your cervical spine, which will help you feel better in so many other ways! Thank you for sharing your progress!
hi, i had recently got an MRI, MRA and CT scan done on my neck and head and everything came back normal, but i do struggle with dizziness and tingling in limbs that i know is coming from my neck due to a whiplash like incident, would these exercises help
yes, these exercises would likely help. You might also benefit from my other videos on neck pain and I just finished recording a new video on whiplash that I'll post when I'm finished editing in a few weeks.
A lot is not seen . I had to have a CCJ MRI, cranial cervical junction upright MRI then Dr. Harshfield, a radiologist that is known all over in the upper cervical world to know how to read these. I was overlooked too and his reports are long and specific. I have serious issues and adds up to my symptoms
Please can you tell more about connection between an upper cervical instability and a shoulder girdle ? This is the problem I have been suffering for 9 years..the worst for last past year. I Guess you are talking about muscles on one-side being overstretched-underactive and muscles overactive on another side.thanks!
ginny177, I'm not completely sure what you are asking, so I'll do my best to answer... While the entire cervical spine and shoulder girdle are connected by many muscles and connective tissue, nerves, etc., and of course there is a postural connection, the term 'upper cervical instability' refers to specific issues where the base of the skull is connected to the top of the cervical spine, so it doesn't specifically have to do with the shoulder girdle. Lower cervical instability is more connected to the shoulder girdle. Your last sentence regarding muscle imbalances certainly affect the cervical spine and shoulder girdle. I hope that was helpful, I'm not sure I answered your question...
I have EDS, so instability in joints all over. Have had a lot of pain in my neck and now in the back of my head. Would this work for me? I live in Norway, so I have no way of getting an upright MRI here to see exactly what is going on in the back of my head, but it's getting worse.
@N S, I created this video specifically for people with EDS. The key is to be gentle and progress very gradually. Good luck and I wish you the best in healing.
I have heds and cci and I do them! Just go slow
@@flowerpixel have you felt improvements?
I felt it, it felt great.
What about if if the muscles aren’t tight but are weak instead. I think after chiropractic care something was damaged. I’m having left sided issue only not right side issues. Brain fog & neck pain only on one side. My primary thinks I sound insane
@Kallie - Great question. The exercises in this video are great for weak neck muscles - that's the exact intention of this video. You can do all of these even though your pain is only on one side. Sometimes the pain on the left side is coming from the left side and sometimes it's coming from the right side... Without doing my own evaluation on you, I can't say for sure what specific exercises I'd recommend. BUT! Often, what's most helpful is to restore balance in the neck, to hit the reset button. You can do that by *gently* strengthening ALL of the deeper muscles in the neck. Be sure that you use light pressure and that you do the isometrics as a circuit, meaning one repetition in each direction then repeat the entire round/circuit. You might start with just three reps and as that feels better, go to 4, then 5 reps. Be sure you're sitting in good posture. Also, hydration, sleep, nutrition, and stress management all impact the area and can cause brain fog and neck pain as well. So a more holistic approach might be helpful. Good luck!
@Kallie - Great question. The exercises in this video are great for weak neck muscles - that's the exact intention of this video. You can do all of these even though your pain is only on one side. Sometimes the pain on the left side is coming from the left side and sometimes it's coming from the right side... Without doing my own evaluation on you, I can't say for sure what specific exercises I'd recommend. BUT! Often, what's most helpful is to restore balance in the neck, to hit the reset button. You can do that by gently strengthening ALL of the deeper muscles in the neck. Be sure that you use light pressure and that you do the isometrics as a circuit, meaning one repetition in each direction then repeat the entire round/circuit. You might start with just three reps and as that feels better, go to 4, then 5 reps. Be sure you're sitting in good posture. Also, hydration, sleep, nutrition, and stress management all impact the area and can cause brain fog and neck pain as well. So a more holistic approach might be helpful. Good luck! (Sorry for the double reply - I accidentally responded from my personal RUclips account first).
@@bethwagner7022 thank you so much for getting back to me. I’m going to try these than as they seem simple and gentle. The burning pain I’m having in my neck is so intense ( i think occipital neuralgia mad per my neurologist). Although they want me to take medication I’m stubborn and want to try to fix it , or at least make it more manageable and I have found that my left side is weaker ( maybe because of the nerve ) but I’m gonna try my best to strengthen it and see if it helps.
I also work with a functional medicine doctor & have a therapist due to the stress of this year so I’m attempting to work on all aspects of wellness.
Just this pain is throwing me way off . Again thank you for the thorough response I appreciate it 😊
@@kallievangas9730 I'm glad to hear you are working with a team - especially a functional medicine doctor and therapist for a comprehensive health and wellness approach. For occipital neuralgia, have you tried doing suboccipital release? The best way is with a skilled therapist (physical therapist or massage therapist) but you might also try on your own with tennis balls or even your fingers... I included it in my video on headaches: ruclips.net/video/oy-rvysE2e4/видео.html. Be SUPER gentle with these. It takes very little pressure in the neck to achieve results (and also to aggravate tissues), so take these slowly, gently and listen to your body.
@@MovementFunction just want to get better 😊 so it’s odd, I’ve tried cranial sacral therapy for release & massage therapy , but my left side of the neck is so weak there’s actually no full tissue that’s irritated, it feels so weak as if my neck is “sprained” or lost muscle in a sense, but my right side is thick and full.
I think since I have tightness/ shortening on one side/ weakness on the other side, it’s causing a mixture of issues . Also thank you for answering in such detail 😊
Hi! Would this help for craniocervical instability and neurological symptoms? What about whiplashes?
Hi Sharon! Yes, these will help for craniocervical instability, neurological symptoms and whiplash. Be sure to monitor your neurological symptoms. They should NOT move farther down the arm or up into the head (worsening headaches for example) with these exercises. They should recede toward the source (the neck), decrease in intensity and then resolve. Keep the manual resistance with the isometrics light and progress gradually. For whiplash, I'd add general range of motion sitting in good posture: Head up, head down, tilt left and right, and turn left and right. Do not do a full circle - do the movements individually and come back to the center after each one. 5 reps each. Good luck!
@@MovementFunction Thank you! I tried them, but it increased symptoms instead :( Should I continue?
@@sharonniessen - No, don't continue doing them. That's not the response we want to see. I will respond more to your email.
God bless you :)
Thank you, Aris YellowRaven!
Hi, my neck issues are worse when I arise in the am. It’s very hard for me to get comfy, so either I sleep in the bed, sleep in a recliner or sleep on the couch. The last two make it worse for sure b/c it’s not the greatest posture. My upper traps/levator are always contracted pulling on my left side of my neck, which is then pulling on my cervical spine. Do you have any recommendations how to sleep better? I sleep like a corpse on my back. I have tried neck rolls but that isn’t comfortable. Besides cervical weakness, I’ve had two pt’s tell me I have an elevated first rib. Also, would you recommend the cervical pillow in your video? If so, what brand. Thank you soo much for any help,
L W, I would recommend the cervical pillow for you as it might be more comfortable than a cervical roll and provide similar support. And return to sleeping in bed. I'm sorry I don't have a brand recommendation as it's been a long time since I have purchased or shopped for one. I don't think you have to spend a ton of money - I suggest mid-range price point. Based on your pattern of tight and overactive traps/levator and scalenes (based on your second comment), I suggest adding some breathing exercises to your routine to help the larger muscles relax, allow your first rib to return to a normal resting position and encourage the smaller, deeper muscles to activate and engage fully. I have a video on my channel and there are a ton of other diaphragmatic breathing exercises available with a quick google search. Also, when doing the stabilization exercises, lighten up your manual resistance so that you feel the activation only in the deep neck flexors and not the scalenes. Finally, you've mentioned all left side muscular tightness... are you lopsided when you're on the computer/phone/devices, watching TV, even where you sit for meals relative to other people, etc.? Watch your posture and positioning for a day or two and see if you can identify a pattern that encourages left sided muscular guarding. Tweak your positioning and see if that helps. Good luck!
Thank you Beth for all your helpful suggestions!
i wish she explained chin tuck a little more. my pt taught me tongue to roof of mouth to activate deep neck flexors. and eyes look dowards to activate multifidai. the two core muscle groups of the neck. Until my current PT taught me how to even use these muscles, i did chin tucks v wrong and made things worse for me in previous pts ive seen.
I have all kinds of everything stenosis C 4-7 & L 4-5 , spondylosis, compressed nerves and discs, bulging discs osteoporosis, arthritis TMJ surgeries, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, recovered from broken L 1 (2x's a yr apart) 1st time I wasn't dx properly, I fell a lot , lost major strength to the left side of my body, my left biceps would roll inwards when I'd cruel my arm, kaiser drs wanted to stop sending me to physical therapy for that , lost my core strength , I couldn't reach to put my bra on, lost my balance, my shoulder blade had shifted and was barely visible, kaiser doctors were saying I was asymmetrical, my left arm would dangle about an inch long than my right side, I tripped over a friends leg and slammed into the sliding glass door with the left side of my neck and a year from the L1 fracture the iron chair. I was standing on dipped on the slant of the patio lost my footage and it landed on my back as well as wooden slats. Because I didn't trust kaiser er I went to another emergency room and that's when I discovered I had broken my back for the second time. After I fell I laid still but if I bent wrong the floor would be the ceiling and thats when I decided it wasn't a concussion. The apartment was slanted and I was constantly be loosing my balance. My left knee folds and or buckles. And the only thing kaiser doctors want to do is operate my neck. Well I rehab myself doing made up exercises like holding my biceps in place while curling to little by little adding weights. I had no core muscle ,so I would crawl on my memory foam mattress like a baby and while in all fours I would slowly do push up to help strengthen my upper body cause my arms would fold and I'd face plant. I also bought a wabble board and in the threshold I would hold on to dear life til I was able to balance without holding on. I would squat by using a chair slowly sitting properly til I WAS able to do 1 or 2 squats without the chair. Well after getting myself able take care of myself 6 months later , I opt to get a job. After working as a cashier., Just my luck , after management closes a lane due to customers complaining it was ' SLIPPERY ' I, me , NO CONE, I PRESUME it was cleaned up. And I walk over to talk to a coworker and I go flying on my lumbar , left shoulder, head ,displaced rt pinky toe , I was knock unconscious, caused pain from head to toe. My coworker finally wakes my I come to and am very embarrassed so I turn over to get up put my left foot under me to have it slide out hurt my left foot and knee...lol ETC.... ENDED UP WITH Now EDEMA in my lumbar spine , worsening the stenosis my right foot still swollen, my head still hurt oh yeah my hands slipped apart and I wacked my left side of the corner by my eye my head doesn't stop buzzing now. I'm in major pain worse than the 2 broken backs put together. And now workers comp and WC doctors and the manager that never put a cone up are questioning my injuries and not getting proper care except for my awesome chiropractor. But now I need a referral due to the WC case. Omg... trying to fix myself but bearing weight on my feet hurts like hell. Norco's barely take the edge off. I believe I was told I had fractured the top of my right foot my driving foot constant pain in my entire back...lol
I've been basically going from recovery to recovery and no emotional support either UGH!!!
LOL...THANK YOU FOR IN ADVANCE FOR ANYONE'S ADVICE!!
I AM VERY MUCH OPEN FROM R SUGGESTIONS AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME VENT...☺️
Hello Beth,
I had a car accidents about 15 years ago in which sustained whiplash and have been going to a chiropractor ever since. My issue is that my atlas on the right side tend to not stay in it's proper position which shortens my leg and cause headaches, burning sensation on the lower back of the skull, feeling drained etc.. Sometimes it holds and sometimes it doesn't. Will this help in getting my Atlas to stay aligned? If not, do you know what can help? Thanks
Chava Chava, yes, this will help your Atlas stay aligned. And you might benefit from my upper cervical stabilization video even more. ruclips.net/video/Ya9q-uN6y0A/видео.html
When I do exercises on my neck, I change the tone of ringing in my ears. Is this significant in any way?
As a side note, your videos are extremely helpful, and I thank you.
Sue, you're very welcome and thank you for your comment/question. Yes, I think it's significant and not uncommon for exercises in the neck to affect the ears (specifically tinnitus) as they are connected in several ways. In general, it would be concerning if the severity or frequency of ringing worsened, otherwise I think it's a positive sign that continued work on your neck might decrease or even resolve the ringing... can't guarantee that of course but it's possible. Also try to note if changes occur with other activities/movements as well as your posture and sleep position.
Thank you for your video. I am wondering if this is what I am currently experiencing. Would this condition also be a reason for facial pain? I sometimes also hear a crackling sound in my neck and I am not sure what that is but would these excersises help with that as well?
Yolanda, there are many possible causes of facial pain, some of them quite serious, and I strongly recommend further medical evaluation. While these exercises are generally safe, I suggest finding the cause of your facial pain before trying any treatment.
@@MovementFunction thank you for responding.
@@MovementFunction Other videos regarding acerbically instability address facial pain by explaining trigemenal nerve impingement. Something like that. I’m sure that person is probably experiencing that.
Can upper cervical instability ever be cured?
@Sahejpreet - It depends on the cause of the instability and there is a great deal of difference between individuals as well. Even if it isn't cured, it can often be managed well with postural correction and stabilization exercises.
@@MovementFunction ok dear.
look into prolotherapy
I’m looking for exercises that can restore the natural shape of my upper back. I have a flatback but only in the upper back. I’m trying to mobilize the midback more but I also need strengthening for the upper back. Do you have a video on that?
This video on lower cervical/upper thoracic stabilization will likely be the most helpful for you: ruclips.net/video/ccFXfeRSoLo/видео.html
Hello Beth, how long do I need to take this strengthening excise that I can tell if it is helpful for me?
Masat Dubi, some people begin to feel improvement within a couple weeks but typically it takes about 6-8 weeks to notice improvement.
@@MovementFunction thanks for your reply, I don’t know it’s a long term exercise
Did it work for u?
what about ligaments...I've read instability stems from weakened ligaments that puts more strain on the muscles. when the vagus nerve is compromised it can lead to systemic issues ie : poor digestion and leaky gut which can trigger autoimmune issues and create even more inflammation leading to joint degeneration bcuz of lack of nutrient absorption leading to even more instability from weakened discs and muscles. I suspect this was my case for years and it got worse when i was under severe stress. I further aggravated what was happening in my neck by carrying about 15 30lb bags of garden stones across my upper back/base of neck. the next day my whole body started going crazy with pain and neurological issues and it just kept getting worse every few days, weeks, months and now one year. causing weight/muscle loss and burning throughout my spine. every time i try to do neck strengthening exercises my neck gets worse then my symptoms get worse :(( I think I may need cervical correction first before strengthening my muscles. something is definitely off line in my neck and I now feel crunching and cracking when i move my head in certain positions. started getting pain, numbness/tingling and weakness in my arms and even fingers start to swell. my eyesight gets blurry at times and I get these crazy burning headaches up over the sides of my head from my neck. feels like a hot blade is being dragged over my head to my eye.
Look into specialist chiropractor for cranial atlas realignment and an osteopath for prolotherapy to tighten up the ligaments in that area -
@@i-3307 I’m so afraid of chiropractors now. I believe the one I saw in 2019 actually made me worse and accelerated my condition to the point where just the wrong move set all these issues I’m having now in motion in 2020
I agree that you likely need spinal correction before strengthening cervical muscles. I strongly recommend seeking consultation with a neurologist and/or a orthopedic spinal specialist. With such severity, duration and worsening of neurological symptoms, I'd take this seriously and seek out qualified medical specialists in your area for imaging and options for further treatment.
Atlas orthogonal chiropractor.
Acupuncture!!! From an acupuncturist - not a chiropractor or md.
Hi. Thank you for this! How do you know if you are suffering from cervical instability versus a vestibular issue? I dont know which it is since the sympyoms are so similar. Is it harmful to do your vestibular exercises if your problem is Cranio cervical? Love your videos!!
Hi Becky. You're welcome and I'm glad you like my videos! The simplest way to know if your symptoms are coming from a cervical condition or a vestibular condition is if the symptoms occur with consistent positioning or specific movements of your head/neck. But this isn't clear cut and seeing a physical therapist is the best way to be certain of the underlying cause and to establish an individualized treatment plan. Cervical instability is a specific diagnosis of joint laxity and caution should be exercised with exercises that involve a lot of neck motion, like VOR. I posted a video on cervicogenic dizziness which includes exercises specifically for dizziness that is caused by dysfunction (not necessarily instability) in the cervical spine. This is a muddy area... The best thing is to see a medical professional for evaluation.
@@MovementFunction Hi Beth. Thank you so much for your opinion and professional input. I have yet to see a P.T. I'm in Miami awaiting a referral. I will see one. I didn't know they can tellwhich it is. That works be so helpful. As the doctor I've been seeing. A neurologist has not specified test to rule out cervical issues so i feel at a loss and this is so hard to go through without knowing where the proper course is.
Becky, yes, a good PT will perform a thorough history and exam, including clinical tests, to determine the cause of symptoms. While I can't promise he/she will be able to fully rule in or rule out any diagnosis, they will be able to give you a much better idea of what is going on and start you on a specific, individualized treatment plan. Also, it is possible (I've seen it) to have both cervical involvement and vestibular involvement, meaning dysfunction is occurring in both the vestibular organ(s) and the cervical spine. This can be very muddy and usually requires a more complex treatment plan to address everything but I've seen people make huge improvement and fully recover, so there is hope!! Hang in there! Until you can get in to see the PT, doing the cervical stabilization exercises won't make any vestibular dysfunction worse and is probably helpful for a large part of the general population, so go for it. For vestibular exercises, I suggest trying the cervicogenic dizziness video first because it's the most gentle on the neck and if you have cervicogenic dizziness, you'll already be on the treatment path. Also, I suggest diaphragmatic breathing exercises to help your entire nervous system relax. ruclips.net/video/04Z4t9udlmo/видео.html
@@MovementFunction Do we ask our doctor for a referral to a physical therapist? Does our doctor have to do his own xray first?
@@sl4983 Asking your doctor is a good first step. You could also find a physical therapist in your area and contact them to ask what is required. A physical therapist can evaluate you without having an x-ray first. If their professional opinion is that you need an x-ray, they will share that recommendation. That also depends on your diagnosis, history of injury, etc. Good question for your doctor..
Hi Beth, great video. Was just wondering your opinion. I suffer from neck issues but I'm mostly concerned about the debilitating neurological symptoms. I tried very briefly doing 1 set of each exercise just to test it out and it already made a difference; however, I was wondering if this is something I'll have to do forever or do most people (I don't have EDS or any connective tissue disorder that I'm aware of) get back to a level of normal that they may have been at in the past?
And lastly, what do you think about prolotherapy in the neck? Seems a bit sketchy to me.
Great questions. It is certainly possible to restore a level of normal that is maintainable without exercise (or minimal exercise). That is, if posture and daily activity support healthy alignment, muscle balance and function in the neck... Poor posture, repetitive motion, and other provocative movements can throw things off in the neck at any time. Ongoing performance of the exercises helps maintain balance and prevent a relapse. How much is necessary for maintenance varies greatly, for some it's daily, for others a couple times/week or even once/month as a refresher/reset. Best way to determine that is to do them daily for a couple weeks, then reduce to every other day and so on until you find a frequency that works, which might be symptom-free living without exercises. As for prolotherapy, I'm skeptical of trendy treatments. I've heard mixed anecdotal reports and haven't seen any substantial supporting evidence. Thanks for your comment and questions!
@@MovementFunction Thank you for the informative response, which makes sense fundamentally. I used to jolt my head upwards over and over (nervous tic) which is what I believe threw my neck out years ago (repetitive movements).
How do you receive donations? Do you have a Bitcoin Cash wallet address? I'll try your exercise routine for a couple weeks. I'd like to send a small amount that I have since you're providing your works for free.
@@anythinggoes5574 Yes, that mechanism of repetitive injury makes sense. Good work on recovering from the nervous tic and moving on to stabilization! I hope these exercises help you a great deal over the coming weeks.
Thank you very much for your offer of a financial donation! That means a lot to me! I am not currently receiving donations; however, the best way to support my work is to subscribe to my channel, click the thumbs up and share the videos with your loved ones who might benefit from the content. Your comments are already a source of support and I appreciate your generosity!
Hi i got a whiplash, someone hit my car from backside. My upper arm muscles and shoulders are weak. While pressing it kind of cause stretch and pain in them. What do you recommend for that . Please let me know . Thank you
Simran, great question. Muscle aches are very common after whiplash, but definitely see a doctor to be sure there isn't a more serious injury. If you've been checked out by a medical professional and you're ready for exercises, check out the videos in my playlist focused on shoulders. Start out with light resistance or no resistance to get moving again without pain.
Ma’am I’ve been having severe headache , dizziness , ear fullness complete , loss of concentration and balance and my head feels so heavy I’m not able to do any basic activities . I have a diagnosis for c5-c7 disc bulge with mild the cal indentation . Moreover for the past three months I’ve been having my neck in a flexed position for more than 12 hours per day due to my exams since I have a biscuit bulge in my L5 I lie down and study that caused my cervical bulge . I consulted the neurologist , ent and orthopedic they find nothing wrong . My pain is traveling towards my occipital and I don’t have pain in my neck and hands , the exercises I’m doing don’t seems to provide any relief . Can you please suggest anything it will be helpful . I have really lost all hope
Please reply maam I need help
The flexed position of your neck while studying needs to change in order to decrease your symptoms. No exercises can help as long as you're in a flexed position for 12 hours but I understand you need to study for your exams. Have you tried to study while lying on your stomach propped up on your elbows? This will help your back and your neck. I used to do this a lot in school. Try it for 10-15 minutes at a time, gently pulling your shoulders back and away from your ears, and do a small cervical retraction so that your chin is not hanging forward. Try adding pillows under your upper chest to support your weight. Make sure you're taking breaks from studying to go for a short walk (even 5 minutes helps), drink a glass of water, and do a few breathing exercises every hour. The intensity of your studying might be a factor and taking breaks to decrease the stress will help all your symptoms. And taking breaks will help you perform better on exams. Good luck and all the best!
Thank you! I'm going to ask my PT about me doing these exercises. How often should they be done? Once a day, twice... what are your thoughts?
Katie, thanks for your comment and question. In general, I recommend 2x/day but it's definitely best to ask your PT about the exercises and how they might fit in best with your existing program. Good luck and all the best to you!
Hi Elizabeth, Greeting from Europe! How can you be diagnosed with disk instability!?? I do your exercise any way and I found it useful!Cheers!
Hello Galaxy Wanderer! Greetings from Hawaii to you in Europe! A diagnosis of cervical spine instability (which is actually ligamentous instability rather than disc instability) is made based on a combination of imaging (x-ray, CT, MRI, etc.,) and history, including symptoms. These exercises are indeed helpful for many people regardless of any official diagnosis, so I am glad they are working for you! Cheers!
Hi, i love this. is there any degree of instability that can not be reversed by physical therapy exercises? I have other issues that may require surgery but does the instability require surgery?
Elle, yes, cases of severe instability often require surgery to stabilize the cervical column. The exercises are still helpful for postural awareness/correction and to strengthen the supporting muscles but might not be enough to stabilize the cervical spine.
You are the best
Hi again I've been doing the chin tucks to try and help my suboccipital muscles after I've done them the muscles seem to stiffen up and when I go to bed the next day they are stiff still and after a few hours of moving about they loosen but still feel very weakened like my neck is all over the place when I am turning my head I was just wondering will the chin tucks strengthen the suboccipital muscles if they are weak or will it make them worse if so is there any other kind of exercise that will target the muscles ? Thank you for you time x
Martin, the chin tucks strengthen the deep neck flexors and the isometrics (also in this video) strengthen all of the neck muscles that provide stabilization, including the suboccipitals. Keep the chin tuck movement gentle if you're feeling a bobble head sense the next day.
Will this help my eustachian tube dysfunction?
Mateen Foster, it depends on the cause of your eustachian tube dysfunction. If poor posture or cervical spine instability/weakness is part of the issue, then these exercises will help. Often there is a connection between cervical spine dysfunction and the ears - exercises focused on stretching and flexibility might be helpful for you, too. Check out the other videos in my cervical spine playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQ3ggWrvWXyDJVrzhPt426qDB7wCrsFqo
Can you do the last exercise on all fours on the ground ( in case you don't have a table or countertop available)?
Yes, that's a great option for the weightbearing exercise. Be sure that you're doing a slight cervical retraction for neutral spinal alignment (don't let your head sag or lower into forward head posture).
hah, instantaneous headache with the simple tiny chin-tuck. also with almost any gentle massage intended to loosen it up. i'm just..screwed. lol.
Are these exercises appropriate for someone with a misaligned C2 vertebra? Mine is rotated down, and the the right. I have chiari 1, CCI, and hEDS as well. I'm in pain constantly, but the hard collar neck brace I was prescribed isn't great. I'm also only allowed to wear it for 1-2 hours a day. I'm desperate for some relief!
Please check with your doctor to be sure these exercises are appropriate for you. Or request a physical therapy referral for individualized evaluation and treatment to determine the best specific exercises for you.
Is it best to stretch before doing these exercises.
@Dorothy. No need to stretch before doing these exercises. Just be sure you're sitting with good posture, so if you need to do a short warm up to straighten your posture, that's fine.
I just did these exercises, only the sitting ones. I felt it in the deep cervical muscles, however, I also felt it in the scalenes on the left on all of the sitting exercises. Any thoughts? Thank you.
You are going to feel it in your scale nes at first , you have to focus all your effort to only feel it in the deep cervical muscles it takes practice and much effort.
@@ccampb83 thank you
Great video, Question, are they are ok for Neck Subluxation? What about normal weight lifting exercises 14 lbs each, should I continue? Thanks!
Yes they are okay for neck subluxation. Make sure you are doing them in good posture. I recommend starting weight lifting exercises with lighter weights, 5 lbs to start and work your way up as your neck tolerates it.
What's the best way to hold our phone if we tend to hold it a lot, when watching a video?
Great question, S L. Use a phone stand or prop it up on a piece of furniture (or both), so that it is at eye level.
Is there a possibility neck instability can cause by constantly cracking your neck by chiropractor?
Yes, that is a possibility. Constant adjustment over a long time can cause hypermobility, which can cause instability. I recommend weaning off chiropractic care. It is not bad overall but when done too often and without exercise for strengthening and maintaining flexibility, it just perpetuates dysfunction in the cervical spine.
In an MRI scan: straightening of the cervical spine is seen
so is this exercise would be good?
I have so much pain all the time also my exam is coming plz help me ..
which exercise should be done so can i feel better ..
I hope you will surely reply ...thank you..
Straightening of the spine alone doesn't mean much. Pain is not directly related to imaging results. I am sorry I can not say which exercises would be best for you. Hopefully your upcoming exam will include range of motion, strength, movement patterns, posture and more, so that a clear diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment started. I wish you all the best.
I have cervical lordosis mam with swelling on my back bone,with neck pain and i can't breath properly, by these excersise i can straighten my back bone or not
Anitha, normal alignment in the neck is slight lordosis. Perhaps you have too much lordosis, but a straight spine is not the ideal alignment. There is normal lordosis in the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine) and there is kyphosis (opposite curve to lordosis) in the mid back (thoracic spine). These exercise will help restore normal alignment by correcting posture and strengthening the muscles that support the cervical spine.
Will this help get the atlas and C2 back in alignment (assuming the underlying reason they were out of alignment to begin with is being addressed)?
Stephen, the isometrics might help realign the upper cervical vertebrae if activating the deeper cervical musculature is enough to correct the alignment. The primary goal is to maintain alignment.
I have cervical instability mostly via ehlers-danlos syndrome and am struggling very much to fix all the compression like on my vagus nerve and symptoms pots and gut leaking and feel all my issues stem from cervical instability and if I fix that I would be fine. I have a long wait to get treatment so idk what to do I also have chronic prostatitis and everything hurts and don't know what to start with. I don't want to have to ask for a doctors permission to do these stretches because they haven't even given me permission to get treatment at all like no one understands my suffering at all I feel and a lot of this is like too complicated like I feel like I'm too far gone to even do simple chin tucks but I'm trying to do a lot I just don't know if I'm doing things right I wonder what I should do I don't trust myself to mimic these stretches correctly or what all I should do
Jeremy, in your situation it's very important to see a physical therapist for evaluation and treatment instead of trying to do exercises on your own. And only after your doctor recommends it. With your complex medical history, it sounds like your doctors are still determining the best course of treatment, which might not include exercises yet. It's important to follow their advice so that you don't make anything worse. Please take care and be safe. All the best to you.
Can you please answer to me, i beg you, i am desperate. I am constantly light headed especially when im up or when i move my head to side. I did ct scan for brain, blood tests, eye check up and ct, everything and they say im fine. The only thing i know for sure is what neck mri showed.
Changes in the vertebral statics of the cervical spine. Small posterior disc protrusion C3-C4, without detectable disc-radicular conflicts. Small posterior disc protrusion C4-C5, without detectable disc-radicular conflicts. C5-C6 left postero-lateral disc protrusion, having preforaminal root contact with the left C6 spinal nerve .
I didnt have dizzines, just huge neck pain and headache, ever since(7 months) Ive been going to physiotherapist. The pain completely gone but 2 months i m dizzy and is just getting worse. Is it possible to be because my neck became so weak , cause every 3 days i am going to therapy and all they do is neck massage, pulling and no exercises? What should i do? Please help me i dont know what path to follow. I lost my job cause i am so lighheaded cant go work.
I see now that you are going to a physio - I responded to your other comment before I saw this one... I think that strengthening and stabilizing exercises are very important. I suggest trying the exercises in this video daily for at least three weeks and see how you feel. If you feel better, keep doing them... If you feel worse (more dizzy and lightheaded, stop doing them). While it sounds like the new symptoms are related to your neck, there can be many other causes of dizziness and lightheadedness, such as medication side effects... and much more. It might be helpful to see your doctor again or find a new doctor and new physio for a second opinion. All the best!
@@MovementFunction thank you so much for your reply!
@@MovementFunction i really dont know what else to test at the doctor...
@@lumibubu8857 Getting a second opinion can be helpful for a doctor to look at your history, listen to your symptoms and determine the best tests that fit you to see what is going on.
مشاكلك كانت مشابهة لي تماما والآن الحمد لله
I literally have no muscle lreft in my neck after surgery. I hope these help me.
Tamara, these exercises strengthen the deep neck muscles that support the cervical spine. Be sure to check with your doctor and/or surgeon before you start any exercise program and you might benefit from requesting a referral for a physical therapist in your area to create an individualized exercise program for you. If you'd like to talk about it further, you're welcome to send me a private note via the contact link on my website and I'll get back to you. movementfunctionpt.com/.
Thanks for your help/lfeel my neck cannot hold my head?
That is very common with cervical instability. These exercises will help you feel stronger so that your neck can hold your head up. All the best!
My bouts with BPPV have disappeared after Epleys maneuvers, and doing vestibular exercises seem to "clear my head" somewhat. But now, most of my dizziness still occurs when lying on my back, head over edge of bed, and lifting my head upwards. Should I continue to replicate these movements (although i get a little motion sickness) to train my neck/ears/eyes/brain? Thank you.
Jerry Buck, is your dizziness a sensation of room spinning (vertigo), like you felt with BPPV? The position you describe is actually a special test, called the Head Hanging Test, for anterior canal BPPV. BPPV in the anterior (aka superior) canal is very rare and the Epley maneuver treats only the posterior canal, which is the most common canal involved in BPPV. Check out this video for a great demo of the Deep Head Hanging Maneuver to treat anterior (superior) canal BPPV: ruclips.net/video/qw1QciZWfP0/видео.html. Have a friend or family member with you to help with the maneuver. All the best!
@@MovementFunction The dizziness is not quite on the level of a BPPV room spin, except for one time it did trigger an all out room spinning event that lasted a couple of hours. I'm looking forward to the head hanging test. Ill attempt that tonite when all my activities are done, keep you posted... thank you so much Dr!!!
Last night the head hanging test resulted in a 2 to 3 second blast of extreme unpleasantness when my head was lifted up to the tucked chin position. There was no spinning or eye twitching. This morning I did the hanging head test two more times. The unpleasantness had decreased quite substantially. I'm beginning to think more therapy involving my neck holding my head up in various positions might provide more relief. The nauseous feeling after performing the tests has also diminished. Have any other patients observed this phenomena? And again, thank you so much for the help!
You are awesome>
Hello, Just a quick question. are these exercises ok to do for minimal grade 1 of c7 on T1? I want to strengthen my neck, prob why I have this. What do you think? Thank you for your time
Hello L W. I think they are okay, but be sure to check with your doctor before doing them. I think the isometrics will be helpful for strengthening the small stabilizing muscles that surround your cervical spine. Keep the pressure very light. Work around in a circle, i.e., do one rep of flex, then left side bend, then ext, then right side, then left and right rotation. Or flex, ext, L side, R side, L rotation, R rotation. Do that circuit 5x. Basically, don't do 5 reps in the same direction in a row. Also, try alternating which hand provides the resistance for balance between your left and right shoulder girdles. Better yet, use a small playground ball (can buy on Amazon or at Walmart, etc.) and press into the wall in each direction so that you don't have to apply the resistance with your arm.
@@MovementFunction thank you
I went a chiro he fixed it. Told me to come back for maintenance. It went back to before. Three years later I'm bedridden
Omg are you ok? I was referred to an upper cervical chiropractor but now I'm scared
I ve been struggling with poor quality vision and ringing in the ears could these exercises help by the way i do not have a neck pain.
Asrock Me, these exercises may help if your symptoms are caused by cervical spine instability, but it is very important to get a clear diagnosis. I suggest seeing your physician and if possible, see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation.
Hi, i injured my neck when I was about 13(my neck got freezed I couldn't move it and it was painful when I try)Chiropractor came and fixed it, that was 7 years ago. 3 years ago my father died and anxiety deteriorated me mentally and I started noticing symptoms of cervical instability.I feel small force pushing my neck in opposite side when trying to move neck to side, which sometimes causes small and fast neck jerks. When I try really to slowly move my neck from left to right and right to left I would get stronger shakiness that people usually doesn't see and doesn't even feel when they put hand on my neck, but it's definitely there and it made me to make posture even worse than it already was.Neurologic examination was ok as well as eeg,so I don't know what to think.I wanted to ask you if you think if my symptoms really are caused by cervical instability. For start I scheduled same chiropractor that helped my first time, for next Wednesday. (I have more symptoms but I can't remember them all, ex:tinnitus, neck muscle weakness...)
I have only small pain in some positions, which is the reason why I'm scared that it's irreversible because people usually have more pain connected with neck instability
People think that it's either psychological or atrophy of neck muscles because I really haven't moved them much because of depression and anxiety and I'm definitely unconsciously thightening them
L P, it sounds like there is a lot going on with your neck and in connection with emotional difficulties, which is quite common. Since you've been noticing symptoms of cervical instability and weakness in your neck muscles, I think you've chosen the best exercises to start with in this video - cervical stabilization exercises. Also, since you haven't been moving much, basic active range of motion exercises would likely be helpful too, such as in this video: ruclips.net/video/Z3HBBN3roB8/видео.html. Finally breathing exercises to relax your nervous system would likely be helpful: ruclips.net/video/04Z4t9udlmo/видео.html. All the best to you!
What if I get sharp pain down my back/scapula on the left side when performing isomeric lateral flexion? It’s only on one side. What muscle could this be that’s strained? Thanks!
David, you're likely experiencing pain radiating down the back/scapula due to a pinched nerve. Tightness in the scalenes and/or levator scapula compressing a nerve is a strong possibility. I suggest using less force when doing the isometrics.
@@MovementFunction Thank you very much - I never considered that. I will seek your channel for further guidance on that.
can i ask a question? one thing i havent understood about the chin tuck... when i do it (moving head back and keeping chin area down and in.. (but not "looking down (flexing))... my c spine seems to become even straighter>
i start out, i guess with a bit of reverse curve at least...
i just wanted to ask about the chin tuck.. being decent at recruiting the inner neck muccles (as opposed to the big lumpy front neck flexors :(... how come it seems to straightned the spine, whilst still being a productive ex. apparently for postur, proprioception? and at least fwd head posture??
God speed
Beakford clakington, the goal of the chin tuck is primarily to correct posture to midline, specifically to come out of forward head posture. Returning to the normal curve in midline might seem to be straightening relative to the excessive extension in the upper cervical spine and flexion in the lower cervical spine that occurs with forward head posture. I hope that helps! All the best.
@@MovementFunction thank you so much for your time. Makes sense.
Will these be good for a overworked scalene?
It depends on why the scalene is overworked... if it's due to compensation for cervical instability, then yes, these will help. If it's a postural issue, muscle imbalance due to poor body mechanics, or other cause, then these exercises won't hurt but also won't really help much. You'll need to address the underlying cause. Typically, what helps is to correct your posture and body mechanics during the positions and movements that led to the scalenes being overworked. Check out my other videos including posture correction: ruclips.net/video/rk7DB7q8frM/видео.html. All the best!
Hie mam i have problem in c5 nd c7 plz suggest some exrcise for the same
zainab kagdi, these exercises target the entire cervical spine, including c5 and c7. Since c7 is the last of the cervical vertebrae, you might also benefit from my lower cervical spine stabilization video: ruclips.net/video/ccFXfeRSoLo/видео.html. I have posted other videos for the neck that might be helpful for you as well. Check out this playlist that I created for the neck: ruclips.net/p/PLQ3ggWrvWXyDJVrzhPt426qDB7wCrsFqo
Can I ask about the pillow where you got it from.
The pillow I used in the video is very old, not sure where I purchased it, but there are many similar ones on Amazon, like this one: amzn.to/3v9rCcp. I also posted this video reviewing the Groove EasySleeper contour pillow: ruclips.net/video/Kg5T0cYg74M/видео.html
Does this help with vision and focusing problems? I'm unable to focus on computer screens and textbooks for studying
Yash, there are many potential causes of vision and focusing problems. These exercises help if the cause is cervical instability. Also be sure to monitor your posture while looking at the computer screen and studying. Forward head posture and slouched posture can contribute to vision and focus problems.