Table 2 Cervical exercises completed as part of cervicoscapular complex exercises.

Chin tucks

Subjects were seated in a chair with their feet flat on the floor and shoulders relaxed. While maintaining a forward gaze, they gently retracted their chin in a straight-back motion, ensuring a small and controlled movement.

Nuchal ligament stretching

In the chin-in position, one hand stabilizes the chin while the other hand is placed at the back of the head to apply a gentle downward and forward force.

Sagittal rotation (sitting)

In the seated position, the superficial neck muscles are relaxed to reduce activity, allowing the deep neck flexors and deep cervical muscles to be engaged during sagittal plane rotation training. Instruct the subject to “roll your head in place, like a ball,” ensuring smooth and controlled movement.

Sagittal rotation (quadruped)

In the quadrupedal posture, flexion and extension of the head nod are first trained, and the sagittal plane of the neck extension and flexion is performed. Slowly perform the forward and backward sagittal plane rotation so that it is caused by the deep neck muscles.

Deep cervical flexor strengthening

Subjects were positioned in a supine lying posture, with the air unit of the pressure biofeedback device placed at the posterior aspect of the cervical spine, just below the occiput. The exercise targets the deep flexor muscles of the upper cervical region, focusing on these muscles rather than the superficial flexors, which primarily flex the neck without engaging the head.

Cervical rotation

Leaning the arm against the wall helps reduce the weight of the arm and promotes relaxation of the upper ipsilateral trapezius muscle. The subject is instructed to move slowly, allowing for controlled axial rotation. Sophisticated exercises are performed to prevent excessive neck stretching or flexion, ensuring a smooth and gradual movement.