Healthy neck movements & good rotation

[shootingstar]

I know for certain if I don't do even frequent stretching exercises, which include my neck, I do have problems doing my over the shoulder check when cycling and changing lanes.

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/S...585/story.html

A healthy neck should allow for smooth head movements in all directions, without pain or discomfort. Pinching or pulling sensations, or audible cracking or popping sounds as you move your head, can be early signs of faulty neck mechanics or degeneration. If everything is healthy and balanced, you should be able to rotate your head roughly 70 to 90 degrees to each side, and tilt your head to each side between 45 and 60 degrees.
If you stop challenging your neck through these ranges of motion, you'll gradually lose flexibility and begin to stiffen up. I've seen so many people in their 50s, 60s and 70s who have difficulty driving their cars because they can't turn their heads far enough to safely shoulder-check..

[Grits]

Thanks! I really needed this article. I just took an ibuprofin for neck pain.

[OakLeaf]

And the intra-oral self massage of the TMJ muscles... painful as !@#$ and sloppy sticking your fingers in your mouth... but the only way to a healthy neck for those of us with a bad bite.

[Biciclista]

thanks for this!

[Biciclista]

And the intra-oral self massage of the TMJ muscles... painful as !@#$ and sloppy sticking your fingers in your mouth... but the only way to a healthy neck for those of us with a bad bite.

more explanation needed!

[OakLeaf]

My therapist showed me... I'm not sure I could explain well enough for someone else to find the muscle, but here's a video of masseter massage. The video shows a therapist doing it, but you can see that it's easy enough to do yourself. Then there are some other smaller muscles that my therapist showed me but I don't even remember the names of them. I'm pretty vague on the anatomy of all those little muscles in the head and face.

My dentist referred me to the massage therapist, I think these days most dentists probably have a working relationship with a local LMT.

[Biciclista]

thanks Oakleaf