AOK NeckTek User manual

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To strengthen, stabilise and improve posture

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Option A
1. Remove the NeckTek frame from the packaging and unfold the arms. It will arive inside
out and upside down. Unfold the arms untintil they stop
2. Hold the arms up and thread the elastomer band through the slot at the end of one arm
and fold it back towards the other. NOTE the product label should be visible.
3. Take the two ends of elastomer & bring them to the other arm. At this point you can
tape them together if it makes threading easier. Fold them over the end bars and up
through the slot between them. Pull taught and the band will hold firm. You can adjust
the resistance and begin using your NeckTek. For Option A the band can also be se-
cured with the bulldog clip provided. This is easier to adjust for your clinic.
See how to assemble your NeckTek on YouTube
Option B
Assembling your NeckTek

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Instructions for Use
Find a flat comfortable surface in an area with minimal distractions to use your NeckTek.
Lie on your back with your knees bent and
the back of your head centred comfortably on the NeckTek band.
Relax and let the weight of your head settle into the resistance band.
Your head should sit relaxed, a few centimetres off the ground with
your neck in a comfortable neutral position.
This position may be higher or lower from the ground
depending on
your posture. Adjust the tension of the band to suit you.
Use your hands to feel that the muscles in your neck are
relaxed.
When exercising, try to take your head back as far as is
comfortable, eventually to the floor. The muscles at the
front of the neck should
remain relaxed throughout.
Aim to strengthen yourself in this position in keeping with
your perfect posture. The back of your head in line with your spine, your shoulders low
and level.
Bulldog Clip used for
easy adjustment of resistance

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Beginner Exercises
1.Isometrics:
Start in the afore mentioned position with your
knees bent and head resting in the centre of the
resistance band. Tuck your chin in slightly and
gently push the back of your head towards the
floor. Let the muscles at the back of your neck do
the work.
Hold for 6 to 10 seconds breathing slowly, then
relax for 6 to 10 seconds and repeat. Keep the
muscles at the front of your neck relaxed during
the exercise.
2.Eyes with Neck:
Tuck your chin in slightly and gently push the back
of your head towards the floor. Holding your head
still, move your eyes to the right for 3 to 10
seconds then to the left for 3 to 10 seconds. Start with 3 second holds and increase over
time as you get stronger.
3.Eye Quadrants:
As you advance you can you can include quadrants to your eye exercises. With your
head pushed towards the floor, move your gaze to the top right corner of your eye
sockets, hold 3 to 10 seconds, then move them to the top left corner of the eye sockets.
Again start with 3 second holds and increase to 10 seconds as your strength improves.
Intermediate Exercises
1.Neck Stability with Movement:
Tuck your chin in slightly and gently push the back of your head towards the floor. Turn
your eyes to the right, then slowly turn your head to the right as far as you are
comfortable, then slowly return to the centre. Now turn your eyes left and slowly turn your
head to the left, then slowly return to the centre.
2.Fixed Point Gaze with Stability:
Tuck your chin in as far as you are comfortable and gently push the back of your head
towards the floor. Focus your eyes on a fixed point directly above you.
Maintain your focus on the fixed point and your head's distance from the floor, whilst
turning your head slowly to the right, and slowly back to the centre. Repeat the exercise
with your eyes fixed turning your head slowly to the left.

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3.Fixed Point Gaze with Stability II:
Tuck your chin in slightly and gently push the back of your
head towards the floor. Focus your your eyes on a fixed
point directly above you. Maintain your focus on the fixed
point and your distance from the floor, whilst tilting your
head slowly to the right bringing the ear closer to the
shoulder, as far as you are comfortable and slowly back to
the centre. Repeat the exercise with your eyes fixed tilting
your head slowly to the left shoulder.
Advanced Exercises
Exercises in Standing:
Hold your NeckTek against a wall at head height. Stand
tall with your back on the wall, your feet slightly apart with
your heels 7 to 10 centimetres from the wall. Position the
back of your head on the centre of the NeckTek band. If
you are standing correctly with the NeckTek at the correct
height, the pressure from your head will hold the NeckTek
firmly in place against the wall. Complete the beginner
exercises the same way you did lying down.
Intermediate:
Complete the intermediate exercises in standing be sure
that your shoulders are relaxed and touching the wall.
Core Abdominals:
Core abdominal exercises can be performed in conjunction
with your NeckTek exercise both lying down and in
standing under the instruction of your therapist.
Scapula Stability:
Scapula stability exercises can be performed in
conjunction with your NeckTek exercise both lying down
and in standing under the instruction of your therapist.
Your therapist can show you which exercises are most
appropriate for you, advise you on when to progress your
exercises and how your NeckTek routine can be
performed in conjunction with core abdominal and scapula
stability exercises.

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Recommendations and Precautions
Aim to repeat each exercise slowly and
painlessly 6 to 8 times
Depending on use, replace the elastomer
band when it appears worn or every 6-12
months.
Store your NeckTek out of direct sunlight as
UV will deteriorate the resisance band.
You should experience no pain or dizziness
during these exercises.
It is important for neck strengthening to be
combined with other core stability exercises,
scapula stability exercises and stretching.
Your therapist can show you which exercises are most appropriate for you, advise you on
when to progress your exercises and how your NeckTek routine can be performed in
conjunction with core abdominal and scapula stability exercises.
Once you find the exercises easy, take your head closer to the floor, increase the tension
on the band of your NeckTek or replace with a band of greater resistence.
This figure illustrates the daily stress created by smartphone use and the importance of posture on spine health.
NeckTEK may be a valuable tool to assist in
correcting Upper Cross Syndrome

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For further exercises please visit www.necktek.com
Acute Neck Pain Protocol
Place a flexible ice pack on the band of your NeckTek and a layer of wet material
(washer/tea towel) on top of that.
Lie back on the ice pack with your head centred comfortably on the band and the ice
pack wrapping around the top of your neck. Often, your acute neck pain will be reduced
with your head in a higher position from the floor, so you may need to tighten the band to
hold your head in a comfortable position.
Maintain the ice pack application for 20-30 minutes, then remove the ice pack and spend
5 minutes consciously relaxing into the band.
Follow this by doing 5 of each of the Beginners exercises. Repeat in 60 minutes.
There is strong evidence to support the early application of ice to relieve acute neck pain
and, particularly ice to the carotid arteries, to relieve migraine.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some conditions contraindicate the use of ice, so if in doubt, or if
pain persists, consult your doctor or therapist.
NeckTek is available for online purchase through
www.necktek.com
and www.aokhealth.com
Wholesale orders can be submitted through
www.aokhealth.com
Or [e-mail]
NeckTek is a registered trademark.
NeckTek has been granted an Australian patent and has patents
pending internationally.
NeckTek is a registered design with IP Australia.
NeckTeck is a subsiduary of Sherborne Pty Ltd trading since 2002

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NeckTek aims to promote neck health and strength through simple regular exercise. To work with people
who's daily posture creates tension headaches and neck pain by developing a simple, portable method of
exercises that can counteract the daily build up of neck stress. To create an affordable and effective
treatment to prevent and correct the onset of cervico-thoracic kyphosis (dowagers hump).
Retail and Wholesale Sales are
available from AOK Health Pty Ltd
1300 790 900
Resistance Band is available from AOK in 120cm lengths, ideal for the NeckTEK, and you can increase/
decrease resistance by choosing a stronger band, using 2 bands or by decreasing the starting tension.
Using a Bulldog Clip makes this very simple.