Waking up with neck pain is a terrible way to start the day. But the NecksLevel Glide promises to permanently erase neck pain by building stronger neck muscles. If that sounds too good to be true, keep reading for a full NecksLevel Glide review—from a PT’s perspective.
Dealing with Neck Pain as a Physical Therapist
Even as a Physical Therapist, I sometimes wake up with a stiff neck. It makes for a miserable morning and a headache that persists all day long. If you’re like me, you’ll try anything to get rid of neck pain. The usual techniques include gentle stretching and neck traction. Although these techniques can provide some relief in the moment, they can’t address the underlying postural issue behind most neck pain: weakness and instability in the muscles that support the head.
NecksLevel: Rehab in the Nick of Time
Recently a fellow PT reached out to me with a special request. He had created a device for rehabbing neck pain and asked me to try it out. Although he had already experienced great success using this tool for many patients, including professional athletes, he wanted my honest opinion and sent me a copy.
It was perfect timing! The prior two weeks I had been waking up with a stiff neck each morning, so by the time I got my hands on the device, I was able to really put it to the test. And I must say, the NecksLevel device has proven to be the best tool for treating neck pain I’ve ever used.
And just to be clear: I have not been paid to make these statements! The folks at NecksLevel haven’t even seen this review yet. I’m just giving my honest opinion as a physical therapist with occasional neck pain—an ideal candidate to test out something like this.
NecksLevel Glide Review: Overview
The NecksLevel Glide is essentially a glider for performing neck exercises with or without resistance. The aluminum alloy base consists of a flat platform that glides side to side. Attached are three different resistance bands that snap in place to resist the movement of the glider.
The standard NecksLevel is designed to be used while lying on your back. You simply position the device under your head lengthwise and turn your head side to side to set the device in motion. You can also rotate the device 90º to use it for chin tucking motions, or at an angle to isolate certain neck stretches.
This tool is remarkably easy to use; toggling in between resistance bands is a snap you can perform one-handed in between sets. And to help you get started, each device comes with two sets of rehab protocol, beginner and advanced, as well as plenty of free resources online to help you get the most out of the device.
How to Use a NecksLevel Glide
There are two primary uses for the NecksLevel Glide: stretch mode and strength mode.
In stretch mode, the glider moves freely back and forth as you turn your head, helping you relax and stretch the tight muscles in your neck. This is a great way to warm up your muscles before exercising, but it can also help you gently increase mobility when you wake up with a stiff neck.
To use the Glide in strength mode, simply snap on one of the attached resistance bands. This will make the gliding motion slightly more effortful, which over time can help strengthen the muscles you use to set it in motion.
There are 6 levels of resistance bands. Levels 1-3 come standard with the NecksLevel Glide, while 4–6 can be purchased separately. You can get the full set when you select the NecksLevel Pro, which I’ll explain in more detail below.
My Experience with the NecksLevel Glide
After two days of using the NecksLevel device, my neck’s range of motion began to equalize from one side to the other. Typically with a stiff neck, I have a harder time turning my head in one direction, as a result of imbalanced muscle tightness in my neck. But after working on my range of motion using the NecksLevel device, I saw results exceptionally fast.
By Day 3, I began to add resistance to the workouts. As a result, the muscles in my neck certainly tired out, but I didn’t feel the soreness or stiffness that I had been dealing with for the prior two weeks.
After using the device for just one week, the soreness in my neck completely vanished, and I felt better than ever. Notably, I hadn’t taken any Tylenol or other painkiller medicine for the neck pain and headaches throughout my trial run. Instead, I merely followed this simple neck rehab protocol and saw results almost immediately.
Why It Works
What’s fascinating about the NecksLevel is its simplicity. There are no bells and whistles—only good design and effective function.
Unlike more complicated contraptions, the NecksLevel glider helps you achieve precise neck movements, such as rotation and flexion, while staying as relaxed as possible. Lying on your back offloads your neck and allows for better stretching and strengthening.
I find that when neck exercises are performed sitting or standing, other muscles tend to get involved. You’ll find your traps tensing up, and you’ll have to devote attention to keeping your shoulders stabilized as you move your head. It’s much harder to isolate the neck muscles while working against gravity.
But with the NecksLevel tool, you can fully relax and achieve ideal form. Not only does it help you relieve current neck pain, it can help you avoid straining your neck from trying to stretch the muscles manually.
I’m not surprised at all that this device has taken off so well. Hundreds of physical therapy clinics are using the NecksLevel device to rehab their patients with neck pain. I’ve already mentioned the success it achieved for professional athletes, such as NFL players Patrick Mahomes and Brent Urban.
However, this device isn’t just for professional or clinical use. More and more patients have begun to purchase the device for home use. And that makes total sense! The sooner you can get rid of neck pain, the better. Instead of having to wait a couple weeks to be seen by a PT or chiropractor, you can instead follow a neck rehab routine right at home using your own copy of the NecksLevel Glide.
Leveling Up Your Neck Rehab:
The NecksLevel Glide Pro
If you’re looking for the best tool to support a stronger neck and perfect posture, then the NecksLevel Pro will help you get there. While it resembles the Glide in form and function, the Pro adds a few outstanding features:
- A wider base for farther glides
- A built-in goniometer for tracking your range of motion
- 3 heavier resistance bands (in addition to the standard 3) for more challenging workouts
- The option for mounting to a wall for standing neck exercises
- A carrying handle
- A hardshell case
If none of these features grabs your attention, then upgrading to the Pro might not be worth it to you. The standard Glide will deliver comparable results in neck pain relief through basic stretching and strengthening exercises (besides, you can purchase the advanced resistance bands separately). But the Pro can support more advanced training, such as the wider base, wall-mount setup, and the ability to measure your progress with a built-in goniometer.
Cost of NecksLevel Glide Devices
Can you really put a price on neck pain relief? I find it’s a rare gem to be able to address chronic pain easily, at home, with a clinic-grade device, using just a few minutes of exercise each day. If you’re someone who constantly wakes up with a stiff neck or has posture-related neck pain, then the NextLevel is going to be a game-changer for your physical well-being.
Hence the price of the product; the NecksLevel costs more than a flimsy fitness gimmick. Right now the standard device retails for $345, and the Pro costs $625. You can save $15 on your purchase when you use the code PTPROGRESS.
Before you dismiss the cost of this purchase outright, consider how much you may end up spending year after year on your neck pain, either with over-the-counter remedies or medical attention. Then consider: if you can own the exact device you’d use in a clinic for less than the cost of the copays you’d shell out to see a specialist, it’s 100% worth buying the solution to your problem.
NecksLevel Glide Rehab Protocol
I mentioned that I followed a particular neck rehab protocol to treat my stiff neck, and I saw rapid results in pain relief, range of motion, and strength. To try that routine for yourself—with or without your own NecksLevel Glide—check out this post.
