Are you finding it hard getting out of bed in the morning because you're experiencing neck pain? Welcome to the club. Neck pain isn't uncommon and can be tackled head-on (get it?!) with a little bit of exercise that doesn't make your tender neck scream for mercy.

Dr. Vivek Babaria, a sports medicine and spine physician from DISC Surgery Center, Newport Beach, California, advises that strengthening core and improving spinal stability can help your neck without piling on the pressure. But before you start pumping iron or doing crunches like there's no tomorrow, it's crucial to play safe, especially if the discomfort interferes with work or everyday chores or has sprung up after an unfortunate accident. Maybe it's time to dial down those sweet painkillers and seek sound medical advice.

If you're on a green signal, remember to keep your form in check over cramming intensity and speed - this stalwart piece of advice comes from Dr. Babaria himself. His wisdom is not to push yourself to the point of discomfort and check-in with a physical therapist if the pain increases with exercise.

Now with the safety briefing completed, here’s a list of five neck-friendly ab exercises to work that midsection without wrecking your neck:

1. Bent-Knee Reverse Crunch: This does not require any upper-body engagement, prioritizing the use of core contraction to stabilize the body. Remember to keep the neck in a neutral position and not strained when twisting and bending.

2. Supine Leg Raises: This exercise focuses on lower abdominal muscles and doesn't need any work from the muscles above your stomach. The exercise might be challenging for beginners but remember to prioritize form, not speed or intensity.

3. Standing, Alternating Knee Raises: Engages lower abdominals along with obliques without you having to get down on the floor. Great for building core and hip-flexor strength.

4. Forearm Plank: A safe and effective way to build core strength, but stop if there's discomfort in the lower back.

5. Abdominal Crunch: The basic abdominal crunch should not cause any harm but stop doing it immediately if there's pain.

The bottom line? Ab workouts can help manage that annoying neck pain without sending you into the world of hurt. With correct form, level-headed progress, and an eagle-eyed lookout for discomfort, you can kiss that neck pain goodbye, one workout at a time. Just remember to get a doc's permission before starting and halt if something feels off, you know, like numbness, tingling, or intense pain. So, let’s get crunching!