Mckenzie Cervical spine repeated rotations

This is an instructional video to correctly demonstrate Mckenzie Cervical spine repeated rotations

The content in this video is provided for general information purposes only and is not meant to replace a physiotherapy or medical consultation.

Step by Step

  1. This is a good exercise for a lateral derangement or a lateral disc prolapse in the Cervical spine. This type of problem can cause neck and shoulder pain. If the prolapse is severe then the pain can also go down your arms.
  2. It comes from the Mckenzie assessment and treatment philosophy
  3. Undertaking this exercise you need to have been assessed by a physiotherapist who is Mckenzie trained as doing this exercise for the wrong problem can make things worse.
  4. This exercise is all about post exercise symptom relief or what is known as centralisation, which is when the symptoms move away from the periphery and closer to the mid line of the neck.
  5. If your symptoms increase more peripherally after performing this exercise then you must immediately cease the exercise and consult your physiotherapist.
  6. If you have any blurred or double vision, feeling sick, feeling dizzy, passing out, numbness in your tongue or any problems with your swallowing then don’t perform this exercise. Also if you any cauda equina symptoms, which include bladder and bowel incontinence, retention, urgency and saddle area numbness then this exercise isn’t right for you and you need to see your physio or doctor as soon as possible
  7. If you are unsure then don’t perform the exercise until you have seen your physio or a doctor.
  8. Ideally sitting on a chair, looking straight ahead, tuck your chin in very slightly by gliding your head backwards, don’t tip your head back or forwards.
  9. Maintain this position throughput he movement of the exercise
  10. Next rotate your neck to the painful side
  11. Once you can’t go any further return to the start position slowly by reversing the procedure.
  12. Perform 10 repetitions as far as you can on each repetition. It can bring on worse symptoms during as long as afterwards the symptoms either lessen or centralise.
  13. The frequency that you should do depends on whether your symptoms or above or below the elbow.
  14. For above the elbow you should do 10 reps every 2-3 hours
  15. For below the elbow you should do 10 reps every hour.
  16. Once your symptoms have disappeared for 3 days in a row then you can wean the frequency down slowly each day until you stop the exercise.
  17. Once recovered you need to reduce the risk of re-occurrence, which you should speak to your physio about.

Subscribe to our mailing list

Get tips, offers, new articles & exercises straight to your inbox!

Enquire

By clicking subscribe you are confirming that you have read and agree to our Privacy Policy.

Enquire

Online Physiotherapy

Put simply this is Physio done via either telephone or video over the internet. Skype and facetime are examples of this.

Contrary to popular belief online physiotherapy can be very effective and it can help the same injuries that face to face physio can help. I have helped many people with injuries such as disc prolapses, tennis elbow, neck pain and much more).