3. Bending the neck
When a person bends or cranes their neck forwards and backward, excessive pressure is placed upon the vertebrae and the discs that sit between them.
Twisting and lifting the neck in a left and right motion can also cause this to happen, leading to radiculopathy. Any pressure on the disc or compression of the cervical spine can lead to the shock absorption responsibilities of the discs failing to do their job properly.
It can be pretty impossible to try and live a normal life without bending your neck, however, this is one of the movements we tend to take for granted when we should be ensuring we are well prepared for the bending that daily life requires.
Incorporating some gentle neck stretches into a daily warm-up routine can be a good way to mobilize the neck and protect against any potential issues developing. It might not keep radiculopathy away forever, but it’s a start.