L1: What to prescribe them for and how to prescribe them (1 min)

Lesson instructions:

What to prescribe them for

The following conditions can respond favourably to this series of exercises:

• Chronic neck pain1
• Osteoarthritis2
• Whiplash3
• Cervicogenic headache4,5
• Trapezius myalgias
• Patients with an impaired craniocervical flexion test should respond well4-8 

How to prescribe them

These exercises can be prescribed in a 10-20 minute, one-on-one consultation. Ideally, the patient would have already performed beginner exercises for the neck. Follow-up consultations are recommended to assess technique and outcomes. For optimal results they should be performed one to three times per day.

What the patient can expect

Patients should have already experienced symptomatic relief from beginner exercises for the neck. These exercises should result in further pain relief as well as greater endurance and strength. We suggest performing them for a minimum of four to six weeks to ensure the appropriate motor patterns are established.

While the patient may feel some discomfort after performing these exercises they should not aggravate the patient’s condition. If they do it is either a technique problem or they are not ready to perform them.