For most people, what is called 'the neck' goes from somewhere at the bottom of the head or jaw to where it meets the shoulders. And that's more or less how the anatomy books define it. There are 7 vertebrae that classically 'belong' to the neck. The rest of the spine consists of another 17, the sacrum (triangle shaped bone at the bottom of the spine) and the coccyx.

Unfortunately, this definition is rather limiting and even counter productive when it comes to movement. The head, with all of its knowledge, has considerable weight. And for such a short stack of vertebrae to balance that, can be very taxing. Most people have had a 'kink' in their neck at one time or another- some even ongoing. In those instances it feels as if the neck has shrunk to even fewer vertebrae.  Everything seems to hinge around that kink, movement is very limited or even impossible, and the neck unable to lengthen.

In Chinese Medicine, the bigger vertebra that sticks out where we commonly think the neck ends, is regarded as an important place energetically. Many meridians converge there, and if this place is 'closed', the flow of energy stagnates. Allowing this area to assume more of a 'funnel' function (rather than a bottle neck) may aid in keeping the flow moving to and fro freely.

How about redefining 'the neck' altogether? While we can't necessarily rewrite the anatomy books, we can change our idea of what the neck is. From a functional point of view, spreading out the load over a larger area seems to be a good idea. So why not think of the neck as reaching deep down into the chest? A good ballpark area for the neck to grow roots is about half way down the back- about where most women's bra strap is.

Try it: Travel down your neck, and when you get to where the bottom used to be, just keep going until you reach about the middle of the back. What does it feel like to walk around with this new neck? Next, look to one side by turning your head, and let the movement travel all the way down to where your Functional Neck is anchored. Turn to the other side the same way. What does that feel like? Can you turn less or more? How does the rest of your body respond?

Looking down as you normally do (no cheating!),  notice what you see: the floor in front of you, your feet, behind? Now apply the same movement idea and travel to the bottom of the Functional Neck. Notice what you can see when you get there, and if it is different than before.

Star gazing, or otherwise looking overhead, is for some necks the most difficult. Here, the feeling of 'kinking' or a karate chop seems to lurk most frequently, ready to pounce when enough 'kink' is reached. Letting the whole, newly defined neck lengthen, and the ribcage participate as you look up, can create much greater freedom of movement. If you have a neck injury, try this one out very carefully and slowly.

The ideas we have of our bodies and how they 'should' move, are perhaps more powerful than we know. Discovering how we COULD move when we enter into new realms of defining and integrating body areas, is very exciting- and often the difference between pain and ease of movement.

Besides the physical benefits the Functional Neck offers, there may perhaps be other, subtler ones as well: Removing the invisible boundary of the neck at the top of the shoulders and reaching down into the chest, may open new possibilities of communication between the head and the heart.

This is a basic example of how Spacial Dynamics® principles can be applied to every day activities. Of course, if you have a neck injury or chronic condition, more specific support may be needed. Some skilled bodywork to remind the muscles of a more ideal length, together with movement re-education can be a great package approach, and I would be happy to assist you with that.

Enjoy your long, functional neck! And check out those stars as the nights become crisp now.

Cordula Feuerstack is a Certified Massage Therapist, a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist, and a Spacial Dynamics® Movement Therapist practising in Malta, NY.  Visit her website here.

Cordula Feuerstack, CMT, RSMT