Neck Pain Relief That Starts Beyond Your Neck
If you've struggled with neck pain for a long time, you've most likely tried stretching it, kneading it, and resting it. But here's something that may come as a surprise: some of the most effective exercises for a achy neck work on its surrounding regions instead. Your neck operates as part of a team that includes your jaw above and your upper back below, and two new studies published in 2026 reveal why that teamwork matters.
DON'T FORGET YOUR JAW
Researchers followed 62 adults who had lived with neck pain for more than three months. (1) Every participant completed neck stabilization exercises for six weeks, and half also added Rocabado exercises, a short series of gentle movements for the jaw, tongue, and head posture. Each group showed improvement. The group that included jaw exercises, on the other hand, experienced greater gains in how much pressure their neck could handle before pain set in, in their ability to sense their head position, and in their balance. Because the jaw and neck share muscles and nerve pathways, it is reasonable that supporting one can help the other.
YOUR UPPER BACK HELPS OUT
A separate trial of 54 adults added thoracic (mid- and upper-back) mobility exercises to regular neck exercises. (2) The extra work didn't relieve pain more than neck exercises alone, but it did bring better posture, spinal mobility, neck-related function, and use of the arms and shoulders. A stiff upper back may leave your neck working overtime, so mobilizing it may help everything above move more freely.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO YOU
These were limited, brief studies, and in both, the extra exercises were combined with neck exercises rather than replacing them. Nonetheless, they're a good reminder that the origin of your symptoms and the road to relief aren't always in the same spot. Check out this podcast with Dr. Edgardo Vargas on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the treatment plan and the advantage of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for relief of chronic neck pain.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP - CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
If neck pain has been lingering far too long, contact our office in Largo to schedule a visit. We'll evaluate how your neck, jaw, and upper back are working together and work with you to create a home exercise plan that fits your body and your life.
