These neck exercises after thyroid surgery can increase comfort and your range of motion. Patients can feel tight across the neck area where a scar is forming, and neck exercises can alleviate some of those feelings of discomfort.
Always go as far as is comfortable. These exercises are intended as guide, and only commence neck exercises when directed to by your surgeon.
Go up and down
- Start with your head in neutral position
- Tilt your head upwards
- Return to centre
- Tilt your head downwards
- Return your head to the centre
From side to side
- Start with your head in the neutral position
- Place your left hand onto your right ear
- Tilt your head to the left, trying to make your ear touch your shoulder
- Return to the middle
- Place your right hand onto your left ear
- Tilt your head to the right, trying to make your ear touch the other shoulder
- Return your head to the middle
Down to the side
- Start with your head in the neutral position.
- Tilt your head to the right
- Look down towards your right armpit
- Return your head to the middle
- Tilt your head down to the left
- Look down towards your right armpit
Repeat all of these exercises 10 times. You can perform them a couple of times per day. Don’t worry if you can’t go too far on the first day- every day you will start to see an improvement! Never go beyond your limits or push yourself so much that it hurts.
If you are concerned about your neck pain after thyroid surgery, and have additional neck concerns, arrange an appointment with a physiotherapist who can assess your needs.
Below is a video that demonstrates these stretches, as well as some other stretches you might find useful after thyroid surgery.
This article is written by our nurse Alexandra Matkevich RN from ENT Clinic Sydney.
