There is growing evidence in modern scientific literature that weakness in deep neck muscle function is associated with neck disorders and chronic cervicogenic headaches. Imbalances in muscle strength and activity may affect their role, or motor strategy when flexing the neck and moving the upper limbs. It is another aspect of forward head posture.
Your body habits affect your physical condition. Extended time spent in activities like computers, texting, playing music, bending over projects or patients, etc. can cause muscle stretching and weakness.
It is estimated that 54% of adults will experience neck pain in any 6 month period. You may have tried medication, massage, relaxation, and other attempts without success. Restoring your posture involves the deep neck flexors and is likely the answer.
Dr. Makofsky explains why their strength is important to prevent chronic headache pain, and cervical/neck pain (seel below). Once you are aware and have a solution, wouldn't you want to improve your condition?
Restoring posture reconditions muscles and increases stability to the whole spine, including the deep neck flexors. The PostureJac exercises target each region. The first five exercises focus on conditioning the neck and upper back. The JacRetract exercise specifically targets the neck flexors (see the instructional video at the bottom of this page). Include them in regular activities.
The Deep Neck Flexors
This is information for people who need to know where they are and what they do. The flexors work against the extensors at the back of the neck that pull the head back and increase the tension and curvature.
They are also involved in rotation. When your head is extended (such as computer posture) they become weak and inactive. They are activated when the head is pulled down and chin is tucked-in.
Like the rudder on a ship or the flaps on a plane, relatively small components control large bodies. Small muscles like these should function as the initiators of movement, supported by the larger, external ones. If they do not function properly, the larger ones perform this function but fatigue more rapidly, leading to chronic forward head posture.
Being small, they respond more readily to exercise.
Image Source: Gray's Anatomy. Click here or a more extensive explanation and enlarged image
Importance Of The Deep Neck Flexors
"It is becoming well established in the scientific literature that individuals with chronic tension-type and cervicogenic (neck-based) headaches also suffer from weakness and poor endurance of the deep neck flexor muscles (eg. rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, and longus colli/capitis), which are also correlated to forward head posture/upper crossed syndrome.
By stabilizing the thorax and lower neck, PostureJac engagement immediately restores both strength and endurance to these muscles via enhanced mechanical advantage and correction of forward head posture. With continued PostureJac training, it is hypothesized that these muscles can become stronger and less fatigable, even without the PostureJac, and thus offer relief to those who suffer from chronic headaches."
Data collected in the Department of Physical Therapy at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) in Old Westbury, NY indicates that the PostureJac immediately increases the endurance capacity of the deep neck flexors by over 40%, whereas the control group showed only a 6% increase. This has implications for tension-type, migraine, and cervicogenic headaches, where the endurance capacity of the deep neck flexors has been shown to be deficient. In addition, poor endurance of the deep neck flexor muscles (rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis, and longus colli) may lead to forward head posture, which has been linked to, not only chronic headaches, but also to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), shoulder impingement, chronic neck/back pain, and osteoporotic deformity in the upper thoracic region. Data collection is over 50% completed and the results thus far are very encouraging.
The long term training effect of the PostureJac on the deep neck flexors will be the subject of future studies.
Dr. Howard Makofsky
The JacRetract Exercise From The Series Dr. Makofsky Instructs A Therapist Informal Interview With Dr. Makofsky
With the PostureJac engaged, the spine is stabilized. When extended out over the end of the platform, the head feels supported and stable. It demonstrates the endurance of the deep neck flexors.
This stability and support protects against strain during stretching activity and exercise. Strength and vitality in the neck region will reduce neck posture pain, chronic headaches and myofascial trigger points.
