Neck pain and muscle strength

A Finnish research team investigated the effects of neck muscle training on the severity and frequency of neck pain in a group of 180 female patients with chronic neck pain. The study published in the Journal Of Strength and Conditioning found that increased neck muscle strength was associated with a reduction in neck pain. The study concluded that specific neck muscle training should be completed at least twice each week and continue for up to 12 months following injury.

After injury, such as whiplash, or pain from poor postures at your desk, the deep neck ‘stabiliser’ muscles can become weak due to the ‘global’ or ‘power’ muscles being in spasm and ‘taking over’. This inhibits the small and very crucial stabiliser muscles from working together properly and over time they develop weakness.

If you suffer from chronic neck pain, we can assess your neck problem to see if indeed you have weakness in your neck muscles or a neck muscle dysfunction problem. We can help you strengthening up your neck muscles with specific exercises and a home program to help with your individual problem.