Martial Arts Jiu Jitsu: Unleash the Gentleness In You

By Kirk Sams

The Japanese martial art of Jiu Jitsu mainly employs unarmed techniques to disable an opponent, though weapons are sometimes used. Its primary aim is to teach practitioners unarmed strategies for stopping an armed foe. Just like other martial art forms, jiu-jitsu has evolved throughout the centuries to include a variety of forms and techniques.

What Sets Jiu Jitsu Apart from Other Martial Arts?

Jiu Jitsu was developed by samurai in feudal Japan as a way for the unarmed warrior to fight against armed samurai. Punches, kicks, and other direct attacks were simply not as effective in fighting an armed opponent, so jiu-jitsu emphasized quickly immobilizing the enemy through pins, holds, and throws. These techniques turned the enemy samurai's momentum back on him as a way to stop him quickly, rather than wasting time with futile, direct attacks.

Jiu Jitsu is considered a "soft" martial art. In fact, the literal translation of the term is "the art of softness" or "way of yielding." Like other soft martial art forms, jiu-jitsu's core philosophy is stopping an enemy through balance and leverage techniques that turn an enemy's energy back against him. In contrast, "hard" martial arts like Karate and Kung Fu employ direct attacks that require force, speed, and strength.

Different martial arts stress different types of combat. Judo, for example, stresses wrestling, and Tae Kwon Do stresses kicking. In jiu-jitsu, it stresses grappling.

While "grappling" seems a lot like wrestling, it does have some important and subtle distinctions. Grappling techniques include both evasive and disabling techniques like joint locks (see below), trapping, pinning, holding, and throwing. Other techniques include gouging, biting, strangling, and choking. Defensive techniques used in Jiu Jitsu include breaking one's falls and learning to disengage from an opponent's grasp.

Joint-locks, as the name implies, are a technique that pressures a joint in the opposite direction of the way it is meant to bend. Not only does this immobilize the opponent's limb to keep it from being used against you, but it also causes more pain the more the enemy struggles. This encourages your opponent to give up. American police officers are taught to use this technique to subdue dangerously aggressive criminals.

Why Should I Learn Jiu Jitsu?

Jiu Jitsu is a wonderful martial art for those who want to learn self-defense. First, it provides tools to escape from an attacker. Second, you can learn to stop an attacker without inflicting serious injury; and third, the technique teaches escalation of force.

First, in terms of self-defense from a mugger or rapist, the longer you stay to fight, the greater the chance that the attacker will overwhelm you (especially since criminal tends to travel in packs, or at least pairs). Therefore, the smartest thing to do is to escape and get to a well-lit public area. Muggers know this, so the first thing they'll to do is grab and immobilize you. In jiu-jitsu, you are taught how to escape from such grips and get away.

Second, if your fighting technique involves only offensive maneuvers that could seriously harm someone, you could find yourself in deep trouble. In a barroom fight, or even if you are attacked by a mugger on the street, you could be in trouble with the law if you injure or kill someone. The ability to get away from, immobilize, or detain an opponent without causing serious damage eliminates this risk.

The principle of escalation of force means that you must use only the minimum amount of force required to overcome your attacker. There is a huge difference, for instance, between an armed mugger in New York City at night, and your drunken Cousin Eddie who's a bit out of control at a family party.

Obviously, both issues need to be dealt with. Equally obvious, however, is that you need to use much less force against drunken Cousin Eddie than you would against a mugger. Jiu Jitsu, by teaching how to immobilize an opponent with holds, joint-locks, and pins, allows you to do both. You can pin Cousin Eddie until he calms down while causing him little, if any, harm. On the other hand, if you need to, you can disarm the mugger and throw them to the ground dazed.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a guide on how to "do" jiu-jitsu. The information has been taken from secondary sources and given in good faith. Please don't be foolish and think you can do jiu-jitsu by reading a few words on a page. It takes many years of dedication and practice with a qualified instructor. Please do not attempt to undertake any actions described herein without proper supervision; we will not be held responsible.

About the Author:

Click this link Jiu-Jitsu for more information on the art of Jiu-Jitsu.

Mind Your Toe " Dr Big Toe to The Rescue

By Kelly Davis

Many of us sportspeople must have suffered from toe injury at some time or the other in our career while playing a game. It is true that people admire and envy sportsmen, but only the players and people close to them know the pain as well as physical and mental stress they go through in their career as sportspeople. Games are one of the most exciting and stimulating activities in our life and are a passion for people who are into it. There are times when we may not be able to peruse the activity we love most due to injury and stress. Toe is often affected by the pressure one puts on that part of the leg while taking part in sports. Some of the common problems faced by sports people typically include toe injuries, toe pain, football toe and turf toe. This can be devastating but we have a solution for this, Dr. Big Toe.

In turf toe there is pain at the base of the big toe and this is generally caused from either overcrowding the toe, or by pushing it again and again while jumping or running. The name turf toe originates from the fact that this type of damage is most common among players using artificial turf. Even when we take part in other games our legs bear the utmost impact and are susceptible to injury. You will find a solution in Dr. Big Toe.

You can get relief in most toe problems with the help of Dr. Big Toe. Dr. Big Toe is type of a toe support or you can say a cover which eases the pain which is common with any kind of injury in the foot or toe. Dr. Big Toe is one of the best ways to get relief in turf toe for all who are passionate about their game.

The best part is that you will not be hindered in any way while practicing your sport when using Dr. Big Toe; it rather helps the toe to get support from the adjacent strongest toe in the foot. The two toes will get together and do the same job, all the while maintaining warmth and agility in the region which is hurt. As a result you will be able to play the game for a longer time as the toe will not get sore for a longer period of time. Every step or move you make is painful as well as risky when you have an injured toe. With the use of Dr. Big Toe you can rest assured that you will be able to practice the sport you enjoy as well as get relief from various other toe problems like torn ligaments, sprained muscles, twisted tendons etc. Dr. Big Toe helps in managing pain and injury in the toe very efficiently.

With the joint between the toe hurt or strained you can get intolerable pain. Many trainers and physiotherapists advice applying of ice or taping the feet when you get a toe injury. All these are generally temporary ways of managing the problem and do not offer any long-term solutions or total relief from the pain for you to continue with the sport you play. Dr. Big Toe allows proper blood circulation in the toe keeping it well greased and decreasing the risk of further injury as well as diminishing the pain. Dr. Big Toe is a ground-breaking solution which makes sure that you continue with the game you love so much.

About the Author:

Kelly Davis is the author of this article on Dr.Big Toe. A product designed for (turf toe) so the athlete can play at a high level.

WTF Heralds IOC’s Decision on Taekwondo

‘In many countries, taekwondo is the most popular sport next to football.’ - Choue Chung-won

By Jason Kim [jason@joongang.co.kr] at Joong Ang Daily reported the latest update on taekwondo and the Olympics.

After the poor sportsmanship shown by the Cuban competitor, Angel Matos, in the Beijing Olympic Games, rumors have churned about the continued viability of taekwondo as a competitive sport in the games.

Choue Chung-won, the president of the World Taekwondo Federation, has his sights set on promoting taekwondo to a wider audience and firmly entrenching the sport at the Olympics. The 61-year-old is entering his fifth year as head of the WTF and is up for reelection in October at Copenhagen, Denmark.

After being included in the 1988 Seoul Olympics as a demonstration sport, taekwondo was included in the 2000 Sydney Olympics as an official sport.

And now it has been assured of a berth in the summer games through 2016 following an announcement late last week by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board.

“I’m very happy about the news,” said Choue at the WTF headquarters in southern Seoul on Monday. “As long as taekwondo is an Olympic sport, we need to show proper progress as an international federation.”

Read More of the Original Article Here >>

What do you think about taekwondo sparring continuing within the Olympic program? Has it helped or hurt an already politically charged martial art. Only time will tell.

Attention All Soccer Coaches Involved In Kids Soccer

By Steve Miles

The beauty of coaching kids soccer is that you get to watch your players develop and grow into men. Kids will always be kids and the day you try and change this is the day you will start to lose your hair. Kids will never be as disciplined or motivated as the full time professionals. But do you really need them to be? Don't deny your players the beauty of youth, let them be kids.

If you're coaching kids soccer you should ask yourself why these kids attend training and take part in soccer. The most common response is that soccer is fun. So your first task as a coach is to provide training sessions that are fun. If you cannot provide a platform for kids to have fun then you need to reassess your training methods.

Once your players are having fun, then its your duty to teach them the fundamentals of the game. Simple skills like passing, dribbling, shooting and tackling should be incorporated into the session while disguising it as fun. If you can teach and provide a fun session you are definitely part of the elite coaches.

Before you coach kids soccer ask yourself one question, are you a role model? Once you become a junior coach, you have inevitably volunteered to become a role model. You are responsible to influence these young kids in a positive manner and teach them the basics in social skills.

Don't forget to teach your players the value of honesty, integrity, respect and sharing. Not only are you developing soccer players but you are influencing tomorrows men.

So what happens when your team is having fun, learning and developing their social skills? Everything is running to plan. Then you must show them the art of appreciation. Appreciate your players and give them a sense of worth. Your players will then reciprocate with discipline and motivation.

Never try and train your players like pros. Kids will always be kids and should be given every chance to act like kids and enjoy their youth. Let your players be kids first and foremost and then allow them to be soccer players.

Lets not forget that kids get discouraged very easily. Make sure you encourage your players at every chance you get. Always encourage your players even when they make mistakes. Also make sure you keep things in perspective. Your players are not trying to win the world cup are they? So remember to act and coach accordingly.

About the Author:

Welcome to the world of Kids Soccer. If you're coaching soccer make sure you bookmark this blog.

2 Tips to Help Your Kids Eliminate Their Fat Bellies!

By Frances Norah Smith

People learn only from their peers, and this holds true for adults as well as kids. It is no secret that the level of childhood obesity in the world is rising alarmingly with every passing year. Even though parents tend to blame their kids' unhealthy lifestyle habits as the root cause of obesity, the fact remains that if parents are willing, they can change those habits during the growing years of their children.

Take note that a stitch in time saves nine; if you nip these bad habits of your kids in the bud then they would always remain fit and healthy. If you are clueless about what to do in this direction, I will tell offer you two tips on that!

Make no mistake, even though now I am a fitness professional, I too was a big, fat ugly kid detested by my class mates and neighbors alike! Just like your kids I too loved all the tasty and yummy junk foods my parents used to feed me.

My parents believed that I would cry less if they were to pamper me with delicious foods all the time; however this didn't help at all as I cried even after all that 'pampering'; if anything, I fell prey to unhealthy eating habits for which I had to pay dearly later on.

When I grew up a little, Mac Donald's became my regular destination and their burgers my all-time favorites! To top it all, my parents even took me to a doctor for they thought I was grossly underweight and malnourished, and oddly enough, that doctor only gave reassurance to my parents' fears!

I don't even need to tell you the end result of it all; soon I had a fatty belly and a pair of flabby arms which I detested very much (even though my parents seem to have no issues with them).

After keeping up with the taunts of my schoolmates for a while, I thought that enough was enough, and one day made up my mind that I would lose weight no matter what!

1. Encourage your kids to idolize professional athletes and bodybuilders: These days, kids usually idolize movie stars and prefer to sit on the couch the entire day and watch movies of their favorite idols. There is nothing wrong with hero worship at all, as long as it helps your kids stay fit and avoid weight gain. Idolizing movie heroes and heroines won't be of any use to them; on the other hand, idolizing professional sports persons, body builders and athletes would really help them stay active all the time. While it is true that I indulged in hula hopping because it was a very popular sport among our neighborhood kids, I played tennis mainly because famous tennis players such as Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick were my idols (they still are).

When kids consider athletes to be their heroes, they like to emulate their active lifestyle and have a have a healthy body like them. Hence your kids would start eating healthy and indulging regularly in outdoor games!

2. Don't stop your kids from participating in sports: So when I decided to lose weight, I started spending much more time in my favorite sports than I used to!! Thankfully, unlike the parents of some of my peers, my parents never prohibited me from getting involved in outdoor sports.

Take a cue from this: if you are a parent and wish to keep your kids fit and healthy then keeping them from indulging in sports is just stupid! Far from making your kids sit at home and forcing them to stick their eyes on books throughout the whole day, you should actually encourage them to become active in life, since only active kids are able to keep the fat away for the rest of their lives!

Really, that is the only thing I did, apart from changing my unhealthy eating habits, in order to acquire the fit body that I still maintain! And you thought it was too hard to help your kids lose weight!

About the Author:

Frances Norah Smith and her team have been researching on how to burn fat quick for a few years. For a limited period, you can get an excellent free report on the fastest way to lose fat by visiting her website.

Over 40? You Can Still Improve Muscle Mass

By Steve Esquire

As we get older we face different issues to add muscle mass then when younger. This is due to a slowing metabolism as we age. Diet, exercise and massage are activities that can increase the metabolism of those over 40 years old. Obviously, if we want to add mass, we need to plan our diet. To build up the muscle mass, we need to work those muscles out. Massage therapy is important to restore and revitalize the muscles and other parts of the body.

As we age and our metabolism slows down we also tend to lose muscle mass. Because of this slowing metabolism in the middle years we also tend to lack much needed energy to help control it. This can leave us prone to the mid-life tire. Unfortunately, this is entirely normal.

Obviously, as we get older we face different issues to add muscle mass then when we were much younger. Most people metabolize slower than they did in their younger years. There are ways to reduce this slowing and to establish habits and routines that help us to increase our metabolic rate.

The challenge to improving your muscle mass over 40 is that you have to work harder to get above a slower metabolic rate. If you work hard and push yourself, you can get your metabolism going to build up more muscle mass. One important key is that muscles burn more calories than fat which helps to increase the metabolic rate.

Start with your diet. It is best to work with a nutritionist. Find out the right combination of foods and supplements to help you build up mass. Dont try to change your diet from one extreme to another. Start off slowly and establish a balanced approach.

Exercise is an important driver of metabolism. If you don't exercise, your metabolism will stay low, but if you do exercise, then your metabolism will be increased. The types of exercise needs to line up with your goals of building muscle mass. Start your routine and keep at. The toughest time is always in the beginning, but stick with it and it will get easier and easier.

Massage therapy is a great addition to your new regimen. Massage helps to improve your range of motion, removes toxins from the body and can help improve circulation. A massage chair can be a great asset and provides many different treatments to the body.

Some men and especially women are hesitant to build muscle mass. They fear that they are adding bulk. Some think this may make them more man-ly. Interestingly, this is not possible because women lack the needed testosterone at high levels. A woman will more than likely just gain some curves, which hardly makes them more masculine. So ladies do not fear having muscles!

Anytime you start something new, it is important to stick with the basics. Master the basics of diet, exercise and massage. Keep these in balance and do not over do it. Think about getting a massage chair to help relieve the tension from your body and to help you build up muscle mass in the healthiest way possible. Massage chairs are an extremely convenient method of getting massage therapy.

Getting over the hill is the easy part. Now to increase your muscle mass, you are going to have to work hard at it. You won't achieve instant results. Expect to see significant results in the first 2 to 3 months that you put in a serious effort. Keep to the basics and watch your diet, balance your exercise and relax with soothing massage chair treatments. You will be happy you did and you will feel better than you have in recent memory.

About the Author:

Get in the best shape of your life now and live your life to the fullest. Check out the most advanced Masssage Chairs on the planet earth. All on one site. Life after 40 is really just the beginning of of the rest of your life and balancing your home and work lives. Improve your muscle mass and then relax in the Best Masssage Chair available.

The Incredible Power of the Subconscious Mind

By Jean D Kerr

The mind is probably the most powerful and impact force in creation and you should not underestimate the power of your own subconscious mind. Remember that no matter what a person says or does all action originates in the mind. In some instances, the actions of the mind are manifested on a conscious level.

Many of us move through our day on auto-pilot. We complete tasks by rote without even thinking about why we're doing those things. Those actions are sub-conscious actions. A basic example of this is wondering what's on TV. You think about it and then reach for the remote. This is a conscious action. But have you ever just switched channels without even thinking about it? This is a sub-conscious reaction.

Your subconscious mind creates reactions within you that make you do the things you do. When you consciously take action to complete a task or do something you want to get done, that thought process originated within your subconscious mind. Imagine what you could achieve if you had the power to direct your subconscious mind to generate conscious actions within yourself that helped you fulfill all the things you dreamed.

Through the proper harnessing of the power of the subconscious mind, an individual can truly live out his or her true potential. Far too often we are told about the 'evils and dangers' that lurk in the subconscious. While there is certain value in understanding the dark side of human psychology, only looking at the negative comes with many unfortunate consequences.

Training your subconscious mind is much easier than many people believe. It's much deeper than just wishful thinking or day dreaming and a lot more powerful. Learning the simple processes required to activate the power of your subconscious can be achieved in several ways.

The easiest way to get your subconscious working to bring about positive changes in your life is using affirmations. Affirmations are a direct reminder of positive aspects of life, repeated to help you achieve a desired result.

For example, if someone needed to complete a daunting task they were not truly inclined to become involved with, they might feel a deep tired feeling come over them. This is simple a stress response to the scenario that saps a person of the vital energy needed to complete the task. That is to say, it is a mental response to what would appear to be a boorish task. Through affirmation, however, one can completely overcome this state of mind and approach the task in a much better manner.

One way this can be achieved is through constantly reminding oneself about how many benefits can be derived from performing the task. You could also look in the mirror and affirm that you are the absolute best person for the job. In fact, you are so good at the job the end result will be a complete work of art!

Affirmations also help you to change a habit such as stopping smoking or stopping yourself from overeating or drinking. Scientific studies have shown that the constant repetition of affirmations, either spoken or written down, taps into the power of your subconscious mind and changes your behavior.

There are other means one can use to harness the power of the subconscious mind. Post hypnotic suggestion is a common method that is often used. This process can be done by using a qualified hypnotherapist but self hypnosis is also an option by listening to pre-recorded hypnosis audios.

Another way to harness the power of the subconscious mind is to use brainwave synchronization or binural beats. This is where you listen to specific sound frequencies through headphones. The sounds are different within each ear and create a synchronization of the two sides of your brain. This induces a deep meditation state that accesses your subconscious mind.

Buddhist monks utilize the full power of their subconscious minds to display mastery over themselves and on occasion even the environment around them. Able to break items without pain or levitate their physical bodies, this is achieved after years of mastering their own subconscious powers.

Understanding how you can create the life you dreamed of or the relationship you desire or even that ideal job you always wanted has been made a little easier through films and books like The Secret'. Often called the Law of Attraction, this theory shows how learning to control the power within your own mind can manifest those things you want most.

More traditional sciences, such as quantum physics, are beginning to recognize the significance of the power many ancient civilizations accessed by understanding their own subconscious minds. The ability to alter and influence your own reality comes from tapping the power within yourself.

The power of the subconscious mind is far more vast them most people realize. That is why it is important to never overlook the benefits of manipulating the subconscious. Not only can you change your behavior; using the power of your subconscious mind is also the gateway to a truly amazing new life!

About the Author:

Jean D Kerr is a writer for the http://www.mindpower-info.com website. You can enjoy the incredible experience of power of subconscious mind and you can try it yourself when you get 29 Free power of subconscious mind Binaural and hypnosis mp3 audios when you visit here.

Common Health Problems Yoga Can Fix

By Lee Lipton

Research Shows

Do you practice yoga? Did you know that despite the challenges of researching the health benefits of yoga, many good-quality studies are beginning to emerge, and the results are interesting.

L. Lipton a yoga instructor for more than fifteen years, describes some studies and what they mean.

Pain in Your Back

A randomized controlled trial involving one hundred and one patients with low-back pain compared twelve weeks of yoga with conventional back exercises. Both groups were compared with patients who were given a self-help book. At the end of the trial, the yoga group showed more improvement.

If you have routine back strain, practice yoga gently and do not try poses that require twisting or spinal extension, as these will put strain on the disks and nerve root.

Do You Have Carpal Tunnel?

Researchers reviewed twenty one different studies that looked at the clinical outcome of treatments for carpal tunnel. After eight weeks of yoga, participants reported significantly reduced pain compared with other participants who wore wrist splints.

If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, you modify the poses and hand positions as needed to carpal tunnel problems. Ask your yogi for help.

How to Treat Osteoarthritis with Yoga

Could yoga be a good exercise option for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA)? In another recent study, it took just eight weekly yoga treatments to show improvement in all of the people who participated. They all showed a reduction in knee pain and stiffness.

About the Author:

For more great health, fitness, and wellness information be sure to check out the excellent free articles from Orange County Boot Camps, and Personal Trainers in Fullerton.

The Latest Fitness Trend

By Elle Jaye

Don't let your fitness routine become a snore. Getting in shape or keeping that youthful appearance shouldn't be a chore. It should be fun! If you are in a rut or just want something different to really challenge your body, consider some of the newest trends others are using to look their best.

One of the newest trends is kettlebells. Instead of your typical hand or bar weights, these are oddly shaped cast iron weights that are available in different sizes. They are shaped kind of like a kettle that may sit on your grandmother's stove and have a handle at the top. Most people will do well to start with smaller sizes because they can be quite heavy.

The circle shaped handle on top is easy to grip with both hands and then you can swing them in large motions in different directions. Instead of focusing on one body part at a time you can work your entire body in a short period of time and burn off tons of calories.

There are many kettlebell fitness DVDs on the market and you can purchase the actual bells at most sporting goods stores or through a myriad of online retailers.

Dancing has always been a favorite type of exercise since everyone can do it, but the sensual burlesque dance has now hit the market big time. Hip hop is starting to die down some as more women are seeking ways to get in touch with their body while working it out.

Women are encouraged to let loose and even put on the heels and feather boa for these workouts. It fits right in with the stripper pole classes that many women have been seeking out for some time. If you want to feel sexy and get in shape, then this is a great option to consider.

Another catchy trend is workout DVDs based on popular TV shows. Do not be surprised to find your favorite reality TV stars smiling on the cover an exercise DVD at a store near you. Going beyond the popular Biggest Loser series, many other TV stars are now taking their chance in the fitness market. Dancing with the Stars has a new one out with Lisa Rinna, for example.

Another one that promises a great workout is Kim Kardashian's new DVD series. Not only do you get to be inspired by your favorite stars, but some of the deliver very effective workouts that are unique as well.

Finally, whether you enjoyed the hula hoop as child or not, you have to at least try working with the weighted hoop. It is an excellent core workout that can deliver that ripped mid-section everyone wants. It is essentially a hula hoop that comes in various weights that can be used to twirl around your waist in different combinations of moves.

You don't necessarily need a DVD or other guidance to play around with the hoop and burn off some calories, though you may want to seek some ideas of what to do with it through the internet, a DVD, or a class at a gym.

Physical fitness should be fun! If you are bored with your routine or don't shake things up enough you are less likely to stick with it long term. So, step out of your comfort zone and see what is new in the world of health and exercise!

About the Author:

Ab workout advice by Liz Jackson.

Historical Facts About Acupressure

By Linda Deen

What is acupressure? Well, acupressure is an ancient healing art practiced for at least 5,000 years. It's a traditional Chinese medicine technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture, the only difference is that it doesn't use needles. Acupressure actually existed long before acupuncture.

Acupressure works by normalizing the flow of chi or qi (vital energy) along certain meridians, thus balancing the energy within the body to activate its own self-healing abilities. The stimulation of acupoints that are located on meridians releases blocked energy.

People have used acupressure for thousands of years to treat various illnesses and disorders, including: chronic pain, arthritis, asthma, digestive issues, headaches, anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, strokes, weight loss, and many, many more.

Regular use of acupressure can set the whole body in balance, which will result in overall improvement of health. It improves memory, learning capacity, energy levels, supports the immune system and even helps to improve fertility. Maternity or labor acupressure is a great natural method intended to help women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Where and when did acupressure originate? It is generally believed that acupressure originated in India and later spread to China and other parts of Asia. The earliest text that mentions meridian based treatments is known as the "Nei Ching". This is the oldest surviving medical work written some two thousand years ago.

Although acupressure is most commonly used in Asian countries, possibly the earliest evidence of its use was found in Europe. Otzi, a 5,000-year-old mummy found in an alpine glacier, had tattoos that correspond to acupoints. Whether this tattoos were of therapeutic importance is still a matter of debate.

Acupressure has been practiced for thousands of years, most commonly in Asia. Today, it is accepted and practiced worldwide. It clearly stood the test of time.

About the Author:

Acupressure can help in many ways. Did you know that pregnant women successfully use maternity or pregnancy acupressure to induce labor. To learn how this works, see acupressure to start labor.

The Neck

by Jonathan Blood Smyth

Our necks are our spines continuing above shoulder level so that our head can be supported and facilitated in its job. The neck is beautifully designed and engineered and performs its highly complex functions automatically without us having to give them any thought. Our heads are very heavy and placed on top of the lever which is the neck, however we can move them or stop moving them very quickly, positioning them at a very specific point within the large ranges of movement the neck can perform. The ears and eyes, some of our most vital organs of sensory input, are placed on the head and the neck has to serve their needs.

The neck is a complex of bones, ligaments, joints, discs and muscles. However it is important not to forget the rich supply of nerves which flow down from the nearby brain and have a variety of functions. Nerve commands go to the muscles for movement, nerve impulses flow from the skin, discs, muscle and joints to inform the brain what is going on and help with balance, and other nerves control circulation to the area. The complexity and delicacy of the neck is in conflict with its need to provide maximum range of motion and this can lead to difficulties.

When the neck starts to give problems they are usually mechanical at least initially, in other words the symptoms vary with posture and what the person is doing physically with their neck. Neck symptoms typically include pain and loss of movement but can also cover a very long list of other symptoms such as headache, dizziness, vision disturbance, balance loss, weakness and mental difficulties. Restoration of a relative state of normality can be established by settling down the joint and other dysfunctions in the neck.

The cervical spine has a very great degree of joint mobility and part of this ability is related to the cervical discs which are very thick in comparison to the height of the neck bones. An increased thickness of disc allows greater movement to occur in the segment. Compared to the facet joints in the lumbar and thoracic spine, these joints in the neck are much larger and facilitate the significant gliding movements required in the neck. Stability is important in other spinal areas but in the neck stability is compromised in favor of mobility.

The atlas and the axis vertebrae, known also as the C1 and C2 vertebrae, are structurally quite different from the other five neck bones and are designed to manage the movement and support of the skull. The atlas and axis joint, the atlanto-axial joint, has a structure which ensures it has very great rotatory ability and this joint contributes significantly to the rotation of the whole neck. Neck movements are very extensive and include extension, flexion, side flexions and rotations, facilitating our ability to precisely place our faces in a huge range of positions so that we can perform the activities we wish to.

The underlying stability of the cervical spine is aided by the thoracic spine underneath it, also providing increased mobility. Without the contribution to its ease of motion from the thorax the neck would suffer increased forces where it meets the stiffer and heavier parts at each end, the thoracic spine and the skull. The neck projects from the thoracic spine up to the exposed and heavy head, the surrounding muscles acting like guy ropes to maintain it in a stabilized position under load and without shaking. It's a hard job as the head weighs a lot and is forward of the gravity center so the muscular systems must have good strength and endurance to keep the head where we want it.

The flexor muscles of the neck are at the front and do not have a very difficult job, only working hard when we get up from lying on the back. The extensor muscles, however, are designed to hold our heads up and have to do it for many hours a day, frequently for the whole day. They only go off line when we lie down or start to nod off in a train for example, as our heads fall forward without the support of the extensors. Looking at the neck muscles it can be seen that although they may balance the neck there is significant downward compressive forces produced on the neck structures.

About the Author:

Jonathan Blood Smyth, editor of the Physiotherapy Site, writes articles about Physiotherapists, physiotherapy, Physiotherapists in Bournemouth, back pain, orthopaedic conditions, neck pain and injury management. Jonathan is a superintendant physiotherapist at an NHS hospital in the South-West of the UK.