Condition Pain Condition Benchmarked

Neck / Cervical Pain

Cervical spine pain with or without radiating arm symptoms. Assessment covers cervical ROM in all planes, deep neck flexor function, upper trapezius and levator scapulae tension, and thoracic mobility as the upstream driver.

6
ROM Tests
4
Corrective Priorities
4
Risk Factors
6
Red Flags

Key ROM Tests

1 Cervical Flexion Extension
2 Cervical Axial Rotation
3 Cervical Lateral Flexion
4 Thoracic Extension
5 Shoulder Horizontal Abduction
6 Mid Cervical Rotation

Risk Factors Assessed

Cervical Flexion Extension
Cervical Axial Rotation
Cervical Lateral Flexion
Thoracic Extension

Expected Timeline

4-8 weeks for acute neck pain, 12-20 weeks for chronic, ongoing for degenerative

Frequently Asked Questions

Can neck / cervical pain be corrected with exercise?
Typical improvement timeline is 4-8 weeks for acute neck pain, 12-20 weeks for chronic, ongoing for degenerative. The protocol includes 4 prioritized corrective interventions and screens for red flags that require medical referral.
What assessments are done for neck / cervical pain?
The protocol assesses Cervical Flexion Extension, Cervical Axial Rotation, Cervical Lateral Flexion, Thoracic Extension. Each test identifies the specific driver of the condition, guiding the corrective sequence.
Is neck / cervical pain the same for everyone?
No. The assessment differentiates structural from functional causes and identifies the individual's primary driver. The corrective plan is ordered by priority, with the highest-leverage corrections addressed first.
How do I get started with the Neck / Cervical Pain protocol?
Apply for an assessment through AKMI. Your coach will run the Neck / Cervical Pain protocol as part of your initial structural evaluation, then build a personalized corrective plan based on the findings.

Get your Neck / Cervical Pain assessment

Your coach runs this protocol as part of your structural evaluation, then builds a personalized corrective plan based on the data.

Apply for Assessment

Protocol Details

Category
Condition
Subcategory
Pain Condition
ROM Tests
6
Corrective Targets
4
Benchmarked
Yes
Red Flag Screens
6
Timeline
4-8 weeks for acute neck pain, 12-20 weeks for chronic, ongoing for degenerative
Free Pain Assessment

Take our 2-minute quiz to identify your pain patterns and get a personalized correction plan.

Related Condition Protocols

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Assessment and management of pelvic floor dysfunction including incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse symptoms, and pelvic pain. Covers breathing-pelvic floor coordination, core canister function, and graduated return to impact and load.

Wrist / Carpal Pain

Wrist and carpal pain from overuse, compression, or entrapment. Assessment covers wrist ROM, grip strength, forearm rotation, Phalen's/Tinel's screening for CTS, and cervical screening for referred pain via double crush syndrome.

Shin Splints (MTSS)

Medial tibial stress syndrome causing diffuse pain along the inner shin. Assessment targets calf flexibility, ankle dorsiflexion, foot pronation, hip rotation deficits, and running gait mechanics.

Lower Abdominal Protrusion (Pouch Belly)

Lower abdominal protrusion not explained by body fat alone. Often driven by diastasis recti, breathing pattern dysfunction, TVA deactivation, pelvic floor weakness, and rib cage position. Common postpartum and in individuals with chronic APT or abdominal wall incompetence.

Scoliosis (Functional)

Lateral curvature of the spine driven by muscle imbalance, leg length discrepancy, or habitual asymmetric loading rather than structural vertebral changes. Assessment targets trunk symmetry, rib cage position, pelvic alignment, and bilateral ROM comparison.

Ankle Sprains (Chronic Instability)

Recurrent lateral ankle sprains with persistent instability. Assessment targets peroneal strength, proprioceptive capacity, ankle ROM, and proximal hip stabilizer contribution to ankle loading patterns.