Why does my neck feel strained when doing push-ups? - Project Sports
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Why does my neck feel strained when doing push-ups?

2 min read

Asked by: Rose Peterson

Neck pain may result from overuse of muscles in the neck and shoulder (many shoulder muscles also attach to the neck), strain on the joints in the neck, or a pinched nerve in the neck or shoulder area. Roy says one of the biggest contributors to neck pain is poor posture during an activity.

Can pushups cause neck strain?

Push-ups can hurt your neck as you start to poke your chin forward towards the ground rather than using your arms to lower the whole body. Shoulder blades will start to wing off your chest wall which loads up the small muscles in the shoulder. Coaches also need to be aware of injury risks especially with young bodies.

How do I stop my neck from hurting when I do push-ups?


Start by go ahead and push the chin back. So imagine like you're pushing in a horizontal. Line. And allow your head to go back. If you go all the way back but it's just most of the way.

How do I stop neck straining?

Stiff neck remedies to try

  1. Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Use ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then use heat after that. …
  2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Doctors recommend ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
  3. Keep moving. …
  4. Gentle massage. …
  5. Make sure you have the proper mattress or pillow. …
  6. Use a soft neck collar.


Do push-ups work your neck?

Consider Muscle Strain From Push-Ups



According to ExRx.net, the upper fibers of the trapezius muscle elevate your shoulders or shrug them up toward your ears. This muscle also helps extend the neck or holds it in a straight position during exercises, such as push-ups.

How many pushups a day is too much?

There is no limit to how many push-ups one can do in a day. Many people do more than 300 push-ups a day. But for an average person, even 50 to 100 push-ups should be enough to maintain a good upper body, provided it is done properly. You can start with 20 push-ups, but do not stick to this number.

Do push-ups ruin posture?

Planks, push-ups, dead lifts and any other exercises that make you hold your body in a rigid position are also great because they emphasize stability. “If you’re controlling your body and activating your core and all those small stabilizer muscles, that’s going to help with posture,” he says.

How long does neck strain take to heal?

With proper treatment and rest, most patients will recover from a neck strain or sprain within four to six weeks. If the strain or sprain is severe, it can take three months or more to fully recover.