I demonstrate a relaxing neck stretch.

Timestamps:
0:00 How to do a wonderful neck stretch for relaxation
1:43 Check out how the skull sits on the first vertebra, the C1
3:58 Keep your elbows tucked tightly to your sides
4:52 For someone who’d been in a front end collision, be sure to stretch their head and neck back instead of forwarding

In this video, I explain how to do a wonderful neck stretch for relaxation. If you look at the back of someone’s head, the entire skull is attached to the first vertebra. Others as well, but we’re going to be working with the articulation between the skull and the first vertebra. There are a lot of ligaments involved with this. (Ligaments go from bone to bone.)

Whether you had a tailbone injury, or another injury, or just feel the effects of gravity stretch, you want to increase the space between the skull and first vertebra by stretching. Because this vertebra is round, we’re going to be stretching it from different angles. I’m going to be walking you through it.

For example, if you start on the right side, you’ll stretch it at a gentle angle to the left. Then from the middle, straight up, and over to the left side to a slight angle to the right.

The back part of the skull is called the occiput. The first vertebra is called the first cervical vertebra, or C1. We’re going to stretch that articulation between the occiput and C1. You’re going to feel really good! And you need someone to do this stretch for you. Find someone to do this on you, have them watch this video, then you two can practice back and forth on each other.

A couple of points. Your thumb might not be wide enough to be effective, so you may need to use part of your hand. Be gentle, because you don’t want to stretch the hairline.

We’re going to stretch the ligaments between the first vertebra and the back of the skull, the occiput. You can see in the video where the ligaments are located. You take your hand underneath the occiput and the first stretch gently to one side, then lift up. Use your whole thumb. Place your other hand on the person’s forehead, to help you. Remember, you want to create a space between the occiput and the first vertebra.

The person will feel a lot of relief. You can even use your fingers to lift up and create space. Keep your elbows tucked tight to your sides, not held out. You can stretch the head and tuck it down. You can also cradle the person’s forehead with the opposite hand you’re using on their neck.

When you get skilled at this, the person whose neck you stretch will sleep better and feel far less stress. It’s excellent to do for someone who had a tailbone injury. One caution: for someone who had a front-end collision, don’t stretch their head forward. Do the opposite; stretch their head back.

I demonstrate this neck stretch on a person so be sure to watch all the way through.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 56, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices but focuses on health education through social media.

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Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The Health & Wellness, Dr. Berg Nutritionals, and Dr. Eric Berg, D.C. are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this video or site.

Thanks for watching!

This wonderful neck stretch is excellent for relaxation.