A Simple Eye Exercise That May Help Reduce Neck Tension
Pain can change the way we move, think, and participate in everyday life.
One of the things I enjoy most about occupational therapy is helping people find solutions that make daily activities feel possible again. Sometimes that means working on strength or mobility over several weeks. Other times, a simple intervention can make a meaningful difference.
I'm Aya Porté, your occupational therapist (OT) here on the Koi Wellness blog, who is passionate about nurturing children's potential and supporting cross-cultural families. Recently, I had the opportunity to work with two patients who had been living with chronic neck pain for years. Although their stories were very different, they both experienced significant improvements after completing a series of simple eye-movement exercises that targeted the visual and vestibular systems.
Why Eye Movements?
Many people don't realize that our eyes, neck, and balance systems are constantly working together.
When these systems are not communicating efficiently, the body may compensate in ways that contribute to discomfort, stiffness, or difficulty moving comfortably.
For the right individual, gentle eye-movement exercises can help improve that connection and reduce unnecessary tension.
It's important to remember that these exercises are not a one-size-fits-all solution. They should never replace an individualized evaluation or medical advice, especially if you experience dizziness, vision changes, severe pain, or neurological symptoms.
Two Stories That Stayed With Me
One patient had lived with chronic neck pain for nearly ten years following a previous injury. During our therapy session, we spent just a few minutes practicing a series of eye exercises.
Within minutes, she noticed a significant reduction in pain and was able to hold her head upright with greater comfort—something she hadn't experienced in years. The following day, she reported that the improvement had continued.
Another patient had sustained a serious motorcycle injury years earlier and relied on regular injections to help manage his neck pain. After completing the same eye-movement sequence, he reported a noticeable decrease in pain and greater freedom of movement. He also described being able to comfortably turn his head without the tension he had become accustomed to over the years.
Every person responds differently, but these experiences are powerful reminders that sometimes small changes can have a meaningful impact.
Try the Exercises
Before you begin:
Find a comfortable seated position.
Keep your head as still as possible.
Move only your eyes unless otherwise instructed.
Stop if you experience significant dizziness, nausea, or worsening symptoms.
Download the Head, Neck & Eye Excercise Guide Here.
Final Thoughts
One of the themes I shared in last month's conversation is that meaningful care is about finding the right intervention for the right person. These exercises are one example of that philosophy. They won't be appropriate for everyone, but for some individuals they can become an important piece of the puzzle.
If you decide to try these exercises, I'd love to hear about your experience. Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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Want to Learn More?
These exercises were inspired by two memorable patient experiences that I shared during my recent conversation with Elly. You can listen to the interview or read the highlights here.