"Coach Chels, what can I do for tension in my neck and upper back? Thanks!"

Anonymous May 24, 2012 3:05 AM
"Coach Chels, what can I do for tension in my neck and upper back? Thanks!"

I think it’s safe to say we’re all pretty stressed out in our “current location.” A very common cause of neck and shoulder tension is stress. Best prevention? Relieve stress, often. Go work out, go for a walk. I know Diablo 3 was just released and many of you might relieve your stress by doing… whatever it is you do in (on?) Diablo 3, but that doesn’t count! Unless you do it with perfect posture.  Why? Because another very common culprit of neck and shoulder tension is having poor posture and slouching your shoulders.  When the body is in a slouch the muscles of the neck, shoulder, and spine have to overcompensate and so they get tired.

Sometimes you just end up sleeping in a headstand and you're not sure why. To get rid of the tension you already have here are some basic stretches you can do pretty much anywhere:

Shoulders/Lats: Inhale as you slowly shrug your shoulders as high as you can. Hold for ten. Exhale and you slowly lower your shoulders. Rinse and repeat.

Back of neck: Inhale as you lower your chin and stretch the back of your neck gently. Hold for five breaths. Exhale as you return up. Rinse and Repeat.

Side of neck: Inhale as you lower your left ear to your left shoulder, making sure to not raise your shoulder. Hold for 5 breaths. Exhale as you raise your head. You can intensify this slightly by pulling on your head just a smidgen with the hand on the same side you’re leaning. Rinse and repeat.

Neck Roll: Take a deep breath, as you exhale lower your chin to your chest. Take another deep breath and as you exhale roll your chin to your left shoulder. Take another breath and as you exhale roll your chin across your chest to your right shoulder. Rinse and repeat.

Shoulder Roll: Inhale and raise your shoulders in a shrug. As you exhale mover your shoulders in a circular motions forward. Inhale again and move in the opposite direction. Rinse and repeat.

Also, parting shot, here is a video “Neck stretches in the work place.” Done by Mayo Clinic. Prolly blocked at work (boo) but you can check it out later: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/neck-stretches/MM00708

Great question, thanks!

Read more: 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/453354-exercises-to-get-rid-of-tension-in-the-neck/#ixzz1vkqT7vx4

http://kaitlyn-mcconnell.suite101.com/yoga-to-release-neck-and-shoulder-tension-and-tension-headaches-a260476