The Secret Weapon of the Human Species

17 Ways the Ligamentum Nuchae Unlocks Your Superhuman Potential

October 31, 20243 min read

The ligamentum nuchae (LN) may seem like just another neck ligament, but its benefits extend far beyond neck support. This connective tissue stabilizes head posture and plays a role in numerous systems throughout the body. Let’s dive into the 17 ways a functional LN supports your health.

1. TBI Prevention & Recovery

Research on neck strength and stability highlights its ability to reduce concussion severity by absorbing impact forces. Post-injury, activating the LN supports neuroplastic recovery, potentially aiding in cognitive and motor healing.

2. Headache & Migraine Relief

The LN’s stabilizing effect reduces tension in the head and neck, often relieving headache and migraine pain by keeping the head balanced.

3. Balance & Coordination

By anchoring the head and neck, the LN supports better alignment, improving balance and coordination—essential for athletes and anyone looking to stay active.

4. Reduced Dizziness & Vertigo

The LN’s stability helps regulate the brain’s vestibular input, essential for balance and reducing dizziness. When the neck is stabilized, the brain receives more reliable signals from its sensory systems.

5. Postural Control

The LN helps maintain an upright posture, taking strain off other muscles and improving spinal alignment.

6. Better Sleep Quality

Neck alignment affects sleep quality. A functional LN promotes a relaxed neck posture, leading to deeper, more restorative sleep.

7. TMJ & Jaw Pain Relief

The LN’s support for head stability reduces strain on the jaw, often helping to relieve TMJ discomfort and promoting jaw relaxation.

8. Cognitive Function

Stable head posture promotes clear neurological pathways, supporting cognitive functions like focus and memory. Neck stability has been associated with better mental alertness and cognitive flexibility.

9. Reduced Neuropathy

LN activation helps optimize nervous system signals to the body, potentially decreasing neuropathy symptoms and supporting nerve health.

10. Joint Integrity

By promoting stable movement patterns, the LN reduces strain on the joints, especially in the shoulders and spine, enhancing joint longevity.

11. Reduced Nerve Compression & Pain

A stable LN decreases misalignments in the spine, helping reduce nerve compression, which can alleviate chronic pain.

12. Improved Respiratory Efficiency

The LN’s stability on the neck and ribcage contributes to more effective breathing by enhancing lung expansion and diaphragm function.

13. Vision & Eye Health

Head and neck alignment, supported by the LN, helps reduce strain on the eyes by ensuring optimal visual tracking and reducing fatigue.

14. Shoulder Strength & Mobility

When the LN is activated, it offloads tension from the shoulders, allowing for greater strength, flexibility, and resilience.

15. Core Strength

A stable LN encourages better posture and core engagement, positively affecting core strength and stability.

16. Enhanced Athletic Performance

Neck stability is a game-changer for athletes. With a strong LN, coordination, agility, and reaction times improve, contributing to better performance and reduced injury risk.

17. Pain-Intelligent Living

Living “pain-intelligent” means listening to your body and taking steps to prevent or manage pain. A strong, functional LN empowers you to live with awareness, reducing pain and improving quality of life.


The ligamentum nuchae supports a wide range of health benefits, from brain protection to joint integrity. If you’d like to learn more about activating and strengthening your LN for holistic health, contact us for a personalized strategy. Embrace the power of a functional neck, and feel the difference it can make!

John grew up in chronic pain and developed Freeborn Neck Protocol when he discovered how the Ligamentum Nuchae (LN) is key to self-healing. He believes the LN is the missing link and the secret weapon for the human species.

John 'Freeborn' Welch

John grew up in chronic pain and developed Freeborn Neck Protocol when he discovered how the Ligamentum Nuchae (LN) is key to self-healing. He believes the LN is the missing link and the secret weapon for the human species.

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