You briefly said to avoid some exercises. What exercises should you avoid if someone has neck pain?
I’m am trying to understand better when to use these exercises and when it would not be helpful. I have clients who have shoulder issues. I want to be sure I pick the right exercises for the right issue. Also, the issue of neck pain came up when I tried some of these exercises. So therefore should we avoid those?
Good answers. When there’s pain my first counsel is to consult with a physician and/or physical therapist to determine the etiology of the problem. From there it should be possible to make a decision regarding which exercises are acceptable and which are contraindicated. I agree with the suggestions that not performing overhead exercises and exercises that put the shoulders in external rotation (squats with a barbell behind the neck, as Harris suggests) should be avoided.
Good luck.