Neck Extensor Strengthening
Builds the muscles at the back of the neck that hold the head upright.
What it helps
The muscles at the back of the neck are what hold the head balanced over the shoulders. When they are weak, the head drifts forward and the neck gradually loses its normal curve — the pattern behind much of the aching and stiffness people describe long after neck surgery. Strengthening them is slow work that continues well beyond the early recovery.
How to do it
- Lie face down with your forehead resting on a folded towel and your arms by your sides.
- Gently tuck your chin, then lift your head just far enough to bring it in line with your spine — not higher.
- Hold briefly, then lower with control back onto the towel.
Tips
- The movement is small. Lifting into an arch works against what this is for.
- The chin stays tucked throughout, so the work comes from the whole back of the neck rather than the base of the skull.
Commonly done as 2 sets of 8-10, most days.
Where this appears in recovery
Neck Extensor Strengthening is part of 9 recovery programs, most often at the strength & function (weeks 6–12), advanced recovery (months 3–6) and long-term recovery (months 6–12) stages, among others. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- Cervical Laminoplasty exercise guide
- Cervical Laminoplasty exercise guide
- Cervical Laminoplasty exercise guide
- Revision ACDF exercise guide
- Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion exercise guide
- Cervical Hardware Removal exercise guide
- Cervical Hardware Removal exercise guide
- Posterior Cervical Fusion exercise guide
- Posterior Cervical Fusion exercise guide
All exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education
These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.