Dr. Donald Corenman is one of a handful of individuals that are both an MD and doctor of chiropractic (DC). His practice with the Steadman Clinic in Vail, CO serves the Vail Denver area and patients traveling from the US and abroad seeking resolution for chronic back pain and failed surgical treatment.
This video illustrates how neck sit-ups are part of neck-strengthening exercises.
Dr. Donald Corenman, MD, DC (http://neckandback.com | 970-479-5895), is worldwide known spine surgeon in Vail, CO. He is in private practice at the Steadman Clinic Spine Institute in Vail, CO and is able to diagnose and treat all conditions of the cervical, lumbar and thoracic spine.
Dr. Corenman is a passionate researcher of the spine. He recently launched http://neckandback.com so that patients, physicians and other spine surgeons can have access to information on conditions and treatments options to use as a resource.
Dr. Corenman has many videos on his neckandback channel on You Tube. He created this video on neck sit-ups and physical therapy for the neck to show how neck-strengthening exercises can be performed daily to strengthen the neck muscles directly. Many therapists will have patients do what are essentially shoulder exercises to strengthen the neck muscles but this only indirectly strengthens these cervical muscles. Direct neck strengthening through neck sit-ups can be done because your head is the equivalent of a 13-pound bowling ball and the perfect weight to be lifted by the neck muscles.
This video demonstrates how to do these neck-strengthening exercises. Simply lie on a flat surface (like your bed) face up with your head hanging off somewhat (some neck patients should not allow their head to hang off the bed). Perform neck sit-ups by lifting your head up about 2/3 of the way and hold it there for a count of 10. Slowly let your head down and you've completed your 1st neck sit-up. Initially, do not do more than 3 or 4 as the next day, you will walk around with a stiff neck like you've had a whiplash. You can advance the repetitions until you can do a maximum of 30 (3 sets of 10).
These neck sit-ups should never be done immediately after any neck surgery. At least 3 months should pass after neck surgery before neck-strengthening exercises like these can be done and you need clearance from your physician or therapist prior to doing these.
Although Dr. Corenman has his practice and is a spine surgeon in Vail, he sees and treats patients with spinal conditions from all over the world. Visit his website to learn more.
