Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 40 minutes ago
Neck pain relief exercises for quick, gentle, physiotherapy stretches for relieving neck and shoulder pain with muscle tension. Physio Michelle Kenway guides this 5-minute routine to help you ease tight neck and shoulder muscles, release upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscle tension for headache relief, improve cervical (neck) mobility, and calm stress with slow nasal breathing exercises. Ideal for people needing quick relief from tight neck and shoulder muscles, posture strain, stress, or desk and work-related neck pain and muscle tightness.
Timestamps: Neck & Shoulder Pain Relief Exercises
00:00 Introduction - neck stretching routine
00:04 Shoulder rolls + breathing
01:18 Cervical (neck) flexion
01:54 Upper trapezius stretch (left)
02:45 Upper trapezius stretch (right)
03:31 Levator scapulae stretch (right)
04:15 Levator scapulae stretch (left)
04:44 Neck & shoulder rotation stretch
05:28 Armpit/cervical rotation stretch (left)
05:55 Armpit/cervical rotation stretch (right)
06:21 Chin-to-chest stretch
06:58 Gentle neck rotation + arc movement
07:26 Closing breaths & release
Why neck flexibility stretches are beneficial:
✔ Tight neck and shoulder muscles are among the most common causes of neck pain for women.
✔ Neck and shoulder stretches can relieve pain with tight neck muscles and tension headaches.
✔ Prolonged sitting, poor posture and computer/phone use often lead to upper trapezius and cervical-spine (neck) strain.
✔ This physio-guided approach by a qualified physiotherapist ensures safe, effective technique without overstretching.
✔ A 5-minute routine means you can perform this anywhere (at work, after using a warm pack, before bed) for immediate relief.
Related Videos & Free Resources
▶️ Relaxation Breathing for Stress & Muscle Tension youtu.be/r5nde5RHHJw?si=WN613KKkRmNOQrzw
About Physio Michelle Kenway
Michelle Kenway is an experienced physiotherapist with post graduate training in women’s health, pelvic floor and exercises for women. With decades of practice and thousands of hours guiding clients, she combines her physiotherapy expertise with clear, calming instruction to deliver targeted pain relief routines. Visit Michelle at https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au for more of her evidence-based Physio exercise resources.
This neck pain relief 5-minute routine can be perfomed at home or anytime throughout the day especially after using a warm pack or during periods of stress, tension, or after prolonged sitting and desk work.
#neckpainrelief #neckpain #physiotherapyexercises #headacherelief #shoulderpainrelief #relaxation #physiotherapist #neckstretch
References
Zronek, M., Sanker, H., Newcomb, J., & Donaldson, M. (2016). The influence of home exercise programs for patients with non-specific or specific neck pain: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 24(2), 62–73. doi.org/10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000047
O'Riordan, C., Clifford, A., Van De Ven, P., & Nelson, J. (2014). Chronic neck pain and exercise interventions: frequency, intensity, time, and type principle. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 95(4), 770-783.
Music
Copyright free music uppbeat.io
Echoism - Christopher Galovan
Disclaimer
This exercise video does not replace individual medical advice. Please cease exercises associated with physical discomfort. Always consult your qualified health professional for assessment and treatment of neck and shoulder related pain.
© Healthy Fit Solutions Pty Ltd, as trustee for the P & M Kenway Family Trust.
Full disclaimer: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au/disclaimer
Neck pain relief exercises for quick, gentle, physiotherapy stretches for relieving neck and shoulder pain with muscle tension. Physio Michelle Kenway guides this 5-minute routine to help you ease tight neck and shoulder muscles, release upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscle tension for headache relief, improve cervical (neck) mobility, and calm stress with slow nasal breathing exercises. Ideal for people needing quick relief from tight neck and shoulder muscles, posture strain, stress, or desk and work-related neck pain and muscle tightness.
Timestamps: Neck & Shoulder Pain Relief Exercises
00:00 Introduction - neck stretching routine
00:04 Shoulder rolls + breathing
01:18 Cervical (neck) flexion
01:54 Upper trapezius stretch (left)
02:45 Upper trapezius stretch (right)
03:31 Levator scapulae stretch (right)
04:15 Levator scapulae stretch (left)
04:44 Neck & shoulder rotation stretch
05:28 Armpit/cervical rotation stretch (left)
05:55 Armpit/cervical rotation stretch (right)
06:21 Chin-to-chest stretch
06:58 Gentle neck rotation + arc movement
07:26 Closing breaths & release
Why neck flexibility stretches are beneficial:
✔ Tight neck and shoulder muscles are among the most common causes of neck pain for women.
✔ Neck and shoulder stretches can relieve pain with tight neck muscles and tension headaches.
✔ Prolonged sitting, poor posture and computer/phone use often lead to upper trapezius and cervical-spine (neck) strain.
✔ This physio-guided approach by a qualified physiotherapist ensures safe, effective technique without overstretching.
✔ A 5-minute routine means you can perform this anywhere (at work, after using a warm pack, before bed) for immediate relief.
Related Videos & Free Resources
▶️ Relaxation Breathing for Stress & Muscle Tension youtu.be/r5nde5RHHJw?si=WN613KKkRmNOQrzw
About Physio Michelle Kenway
Michelle Kenway is an experienced physiotherapist with post graduate training in women’s health, pelvic floor and exercises for women. With decades of practice and thousands of hours guiding clients, she combines her physiotherapy expertise with clear, calming instruction to deliver targeted pain relief routines. Visit Michelle at https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au for more of her evidence-based Physio exercise resources.
This neck pain relief 5-minute routine can be perfomed at home or anytime throughout the day especially after using a warm pack or during periods of stress, tension, or after prolonged sitting and desk work.
#neckpainrelief #neckpain #physiotherapyexercises #headacherelief #shoulderpainrelief #relaxation #physiotherapist #neckstretch
References
Zronek, M., Sanker, H., Newcomb, J., & Donaldson, M. (2016). The influence of home exercise programs for patients with non-specific or specific neck pain: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 24(2), 62–73. doi.org/10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000047
O'Riordan, C., Clifford, A., Van De Ven, P., & Nelson, J. (2014). Chronic neck pain and exercise interventions: frequency, intensity, time, and type principle. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 95(4), 770-783.
Music
Copyright free music uppbeat.io
Echoism - Christopher Galovan
Disclaimer
This exercise video does not replace individual medical advice. Please cease exercises associated with physical discomfort. Always consult your qualified health professional for assessment and treatment of neck and shoulder related pain.
© Healthy Fit Solutions Pty Ltd, as trustee for the P & M Kenway Family Trust.
Full disclaimer: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au/disclaimer

![Physio Neck Strengthening Exercises for Neck Pain (Beginners)
Neck strengthening exercises for easing neck pain, headache and better neck posture with Physio Michelle from https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au These gentle deep neck flexor exercises are muscle control exercises for beginners rehabilitation for overcoming neck pain.
Content Overview:
Neck Muscles:
Research (1) tells us that people with neck pain use their outer neck muscles (scalenes and sternocleidomastoid) thather than the deep stabilising neck muscles.
The correct neck muscles to use are the deep stabilising neck muscles close to the vertebra either side of the wind pipe (deep neck floxors or longus capitis and longus colli).
Position:
Lying down on a firm supportive surface
Towel roll positioned under head
Space between supporting surface and neck
Neck Exercise Technique:
1. Identify the strong outer muscles to avoid using by attempting to lift the head forward
2. Close the lips and keep teeth apart
3. Nod the chin towards the chest without contracting the strong outer neck muscles
4. Breathe normally during this neck exercise
5. Smoothly release and rest briefly before your next exercise
Progress Neck Exercises:
1. Maintain the chin to chest position for up to 10 seconds duration
2. Perform this neck exercise sitting or standing
References:
1. Falla DL, Jull GA, Hodges PW. Patients with neck pain demonstrate reduced electromyographic activity of the deep cervical flexor muscles during performance of the craniocervical flexion test. Spine. 2004;29:2108–2114. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000141170.89317.0e.
2. Longus capitis https://wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/Longus_capitis.png Attribution: modified by Uwe Gille [Public domain]
3. Sternomastoid Muscle https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sternomastoid_muscle_frontal.png
Attribution: Anatomography [CC BY-SA 2.1 JP (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.1/jp/deed.en)]
Find more Physiotherapy exercises with Michelle here:
Pelvic Exercises Website: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pelvicexercisesforwomen/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pelvicexercises/
Subscribe: https://www.pelvicexercises.com.au/newsletter-sign-up/
Music by Aiden Kenway: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEeJ...
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Disclaimer The information provided in this video is intended as general information and not a substitute for individual medical advice regarding your medical condition. To the extent permitted by law, neither Healthy Fit Solutions Pty Ltd, as trustee for the P & M Kenway Family Trust (“we”), nor any of our officers, employees, agents or related bodies corporate will be liable in any way (including for negligence) for any loss, damage, costs or expenses suffered by you or claims made against you through your use of, or in connection with, this video or information supplied or offered to be supplied on this video. Although we use our best efforts to provide accurate information and other materials on this video, the video is provided “as-is”. To the extent permitted by law, all warranties, conditions and representations provided about or by this video are excluded.
Lights by Sappheiros https://soundcloud.com/sappheirosmusic Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/LightsSappheiros Physio Neck Strengthening Exercises for Neck Pain (Beginners)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/T7sBeFEu4pw/mqdefault.jpg)








