The Benefits of Cervical ROM And How It Can Improve Your Quality of Life

If you are like most people, you probably take your ability to move your head and neck for granted. But for those who have a limited cervical range of motion (ROM), even the simplest tasks can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are exercises that can help improve cervical ROM and restore quality of life. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of cervical ROM and how you can start improving your range today!

What Is Cervical ROM ( Range Of Motion)?

The cervical spine is comprised of the bones in your neck. It provides support for your head and houses the spinal cord, which transmits signals between your brain and body. The cervical spine has a natural curve, and its normal range of motion allows your head to move in many directions.

Certain conditions can cause the cervical spine to lose its normal range of motion. This can lead to pain and stiffness in the neck, as well as headaches, dizziness, and difficulty moving the head.

Cervical ROM is a therapy that can help to restore the normal range of motion in the cervical spine. It involves a series of exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine.

Cervical ROM can be performed at home or in a physical therapy setting. It is typically recommended for people who have suffered a neck injury, such as whiplash, or who have been diagnosed with a condition that affects the cervical spine, such as degenerative disc disease or cervical spondylosis.

What Does Cervical ROM Cure?

Cervical ROM is most often used to treat neck pain and stiffness. However, it can also be effective in treating other conditions that affect the cervical spine, such as:

• Degenerative disc disease: This is a condition in which the discs between the vertebrae begin to break down. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck and arms.
• Cervical spondylosis: This is a condition that occurs when there is wear and tear on the cervical spine. It can cause pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness.
• Whiplash: This is an injury to the neck that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward or backwards. It can cause pain, stiffness, and headaches.
• Herniated discs: This is a condition in which the discs between the vertebrae become ruptured or damaged. This can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck and arms.
• Neck injuries: Neck injuries can occur due to a fall, car accident, or other trauma. They can lead to pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness.

How Does Cervical ROM Work?

Cervical ROM exercises work by stretching and strengthening the muscles and ligaments around the cervical spine. These exercises help to restore the normal range of motion in the neck.

Additionally, cervical ROM exercises can help to relieve pain by increasing blood flow to the muscles and joints in the neck. This increased blood flow helps to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process.

You will be shown a series of exercises to perform as part of your cervical ROM therapy. These exercises will likely be different depending on your specific condition.

It is important to follow the instructions of your therapist or doctor when performing these exercises. You should only do as much as you can without causing pain.

Your therapist or doctor may also recommend that you use heat or ice to help relieve pain and inflammation.

What Are The Benefits Of It?

There are many benefits of cervical ROM, including:

• Relief from neck pain and stiffness: Neck pain and stiffness which is often caused by conditions such as degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylosis, or whiplash, can be effectively treated with cervical ROM. This is done by increasing blood flow to the muscles and joints in the neck, which helps to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process.
• Improvement in range of motion: Cervical ROM can help to improve the range of motion in the neck. This is important for maintaining a healthy spine as well as preventing further injury.
• Strengthening of neck muscles: The exercises involved in cervical ROM help to strengthen the muscles around the spine. This can lead to improved posture and a reduction in pain.
• Increased blood flow: The increased blood flow that occurs during cervical ROM helps to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process.

What Are The Risks Of It?

There are some risks associated with cervical ROM, but they are generally mild and can be easily managed. These risks include:

• Pain: Some people may experience pain during or after their cervical ROM exercises. However, this pain is usually mild and should go away on its own within a few days. If the pain is severe or does not go away, you should speak to your therapist or doctor.
• Dizziness: Some people may feel dizzy after their exercises. This is usually due to a sudden change in position. If you experience dizziness, you should stop the exercise and rest until the feeling goes away.
• Nausea: Some people may feel nauseous after their exercises. This is usually due to a sudden change in position. If you experience nausea, you should stop the exercise and rest until the feeling goes away.

What Is The Normal ROM For Cervical Rotation?

The normal range of motion for cervical rotation is 50-60 degrees. The range of motion can however change depending on many factors. Let us discuss these:

• The type of neck injury: A hyperextension neck injury usually has a greater degree of cervical ROM than a whiplash neck injury.
• The age of the person: As we age, the cartilage in our joints starts to break down and this leads to a loss in the range of motion.
• The level of activity: People who are more active tend to have a greater degree of cervical ROM than sedentary people.
• The flexibility of the tissues: The muscles, ligaments and joints in the neck area can all affect the range of motion. People with more flexible tissues will generally have a greater degree of cervical ROM.
• The presence of arthritis: Arthritis can lead to a loss in the range of motion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cervical ROM is a highly beneficial exercise that can improve your quality of life in many ways. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new exercise program and to warm up and cool down properly to avoid injury. Regular practice of cervical ROM can help increase flexibility and range of motion, improve posture and spinal alignment, reduce pain and stiffness, and increase overall well-being. Give it a try today and see how you feel!

Physical therapy can be very beneficial for those who experience pain and stiffness in the neck or upper back. Physical Therapy help patients recover from pain. If you’re experiencing Back pain, Shoulder pain, Knee pain, Neck pain, Elbow pain, Hip pain, or Arthritis pain, a physical therapist at MantraCare can help: Book a physiotherapy session.