Should I stretch my neck when it feels tight?

Gentle neck movement may be helpful, but the neck is not a place to chase intensity. Rather than pulling the head strongly with the hands, begin with small comfortable movements, shoulder and upper-back mobility, and awareness of how the head is being held.

Yoga research suggests benefits for some people with chronic neck pain, but that does not mean deeper stretching is automatically better. Stability, breathing and the movement of the upper back and shoulders are all part of the picture.

If neck symptoms follow trauma or include weakness, numbness, severe headache, dizziness or pain travelling into the arm, get appropriate assessment instead of trying to stretch through them.