November/December 2019 - 17

The NeckX®
story
How a tool designed for fighter pilots
is also benefiting athletes
Much like how a soccer ball exerts an extreme amount of
force on the neck when student-athletes head the ball, fighter
pilots endure extreme forces on their necks throughout the
duration of their time in the sky.
As much as 90% of fighter pilots suffer long-term negative
consequences in their necks. That's why Monty Thompson and
Patrick Houlahan developed the NeckX with a goal of helping
other fighter pilots have a better chance of life without pain
during and after retiring from flying.
As a former United States Air Force flight surgeon, Dr. Bryan
Anderson saw injuries such as cervical strains and muscle
spasms in many fighter pilots. NeckX helps fighter pilots by
allowing them to build up muscle and flexibility in all directions -
imperative because they need a full range of motion and stability
at every angle while undergoing a G-force of up to nine g.
Now that NeckX has been a success with fighter pilots
as well as helicopter pilots, the founders are branching
out into sports. After seeing the results fighter
pilots have had with NeckX, Dr. Anderson, an
orthopedic resident, also believes it will be
highly beneficial to any athlete.
NECKX MOVES INTO THE WORLD
OF SPORTS
The first step was providing the NeckX
to Olympic training facilities, where athletes
quickly became avid users - especially archers,
who see significant neck strain. " They look over one
shoulder for six hours a day, " Houlahan said.
Both Thompson and Houlahan are former competitive
athletes and remember what neck strength training is like
- maybe two neck machines sit in the weight room waiting for
hundreds of student-athletes to take turns using them. The neck
weight machines are pricey and don't strengthen in every direction. It
also takes a substantial amount of time for a football team of around
150 athletes to complete workouts on those couple neck machines.
Additionally, Dr. Anderson suggests that most athletes are
not properly working out their necks and the fine musculature
surrounding the cervical spine when in the gym, even with the
use of the traditional neck machine. NeckX can bridge that gap
to help prevent injuries.
HOW DOES NECKX WORK?
NeckX stretches and strengthens the neck in every possible
direction, utilizing several band strengths to increase the
intensity over time. With the cap on their head and appropriate
band attached, each student-athlete begins a series of stretches
that can be done concentrically, eccentrically or isometrically.
Since NeckX is able to move wherever the neck moves, it
can target areas that are stiffer or where there is a knot to
work in that area especially. Many of the athletic programs
successfully using NeckX are spending time together as a
team warming up and cooling down their necks. It also works
the core and improves posture while improving neck function,
Strength, Flexibility, Range of Motion and Endurance;
these are the 4 Pillars of great posture.
Unlike a weight room neck machine, NeckX fits well in a
gym bag or carry-on and can be used anywhere. Thompson
suggests each team set up a buddy system for its use if a
whole-team NeckX workout can't fit into regular practice.
In partners, student-athletes should always keep
proper technique in mind and pay attention to spine
neutrality. A mirror can help.
For sports such as soccer, wrestling,
rugby, pole vaulting and high jumping,
positions like wide receiver in football
and many other sports, neck
machines won't provide the flexible
strength needed.
" As a wide receiver, if I am turning back
over and looking over my shoulder and trying to
get more visual on the ball, and if I get tagged and
hit hard, I have no training. When you stretch NeckX
in full range of motion and strengthen 180 degrees, you're
doing resistance. And as you do it, you control all that strength,
building it through full range of motion, " Thompson said.
Dr. Anderson noted that there are prospective medical
studies for NeckX. " The studies will evaluate the NeckX's
ability to reduce neck pain and increase neck range of motion
and strength. One is in U.S. military - with United States Air
Force fighter pilots. Another is in civilian population - to test
its ability to increase strength and range of motion in healthy
individuals, " Dr. Anderson said. The study results may allow
NeckX to be used as a treatment for patients with neck injuries
as well as for healthy individuals.
To learn more about NeckX and to get started strengthening
your student-athletes' necks the right way,
visit neckxsystems.com/ or call (800) 484-1534.
ADVERTISEMENT | © 2019 NeckX LLC
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November/December 2019

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