Prevent Neck/Shoulder/Upper Back Pain With 3 Exercises

If you have pain in all of these areas, you may benefit from these exercises, which help to strengthen your postural muscles.

First, roll your shoulders in backwards circles (up, back, down) slowly. Repeat 20-30 times. Keep your arms down at your sides.

Second, squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat at least 10 times. Do not shrug up with your shoulders as you do the exercise.

Third, tuck your chin toward your throat, as if you are creating a double chin. Hold 5 seconds. Repeat at least 10 times. Keep your head straight, without looking up or down.


If your doctor has ruled out major diagnoses as the cause of your symptoms, then your pain could simply be a result of bad posture habits. So in addition to the posture exercises, you also need to look at your postures during daily activities. Anytime you are in one position for an extended period of time, you should try to have upright posture, with your chin tucked slightly, a slight arch in your low back and your ears lined up with your shoulders and hips. Keep a small pillow or lumbar roll behind your low back when sitting at a desk or computer.

It is possible that you may need ice, heat or massage after work to decrease your pain and knots, but wouldn't it be better to prevent the pain through good posture/exercises?

Which is easier for you? Good posture or postural exercises? Please post in comments!