Need A Good Neck & Shoulder Pain Stretch?
Many neck and shoulder pain stretches focus only on stretching the muscles that are sore. However, that's not always the best option.
Watch the video to learn a unique neck and shoulder pain stretch that may be more effective...
Who Is This Neck And Shoulder Pain Stretch Good For?
The stretch in this video doesn't help every single person with neck and shoulder pain.
It's specifically for people who have one shoulder that's lower than the other.
It can also be helpful for people who have a ribcage that's lower on one side than the other.
That's an indication of muscles that are either tight in the chest, the ribcage, the abdominals, or in the lats.
Why is this a problem?
Neck And Shoulder Pain Causes
Often people think that neck and shoulder pain are caused by neck muscles that are too stiff.
So what do they do?
Logically, they try to stretch their neck muscles.
But neck and shoulder pain can be caused by muscles that are too stiff, OR by muscles that are overstretched.
The latter is especially true if you have neck and shoulder pain radiating into the arm or upper back.
If the neck muscles are overstretched, the shoulder blade will hang too low on the body pulling tension on the bundle of nerves that come out of your neck called the brachial plexus.
Nerves don't like to be overstretched, and when they are, they can cause referred symptoms such as pain radiating down the arm, or into the shoulder or upper back.
Doing more stretches for the neck muscles would then make the problem worse.
Watch the video above for an alternative stretch.
A Unique Neck And Shoulder Pain Stretch
This unique exercise for neck, shoulder, and upper back pain doesn't stretch the neck muscles.... It actually makes them shorter.
It DOES however stretch the muscles underneath the shoulder blade as well as in the ribcage.
If you have neck and shoulder pain that's caused by the neck muscles being over-stretched, this exercise might be for you.
How can you tell if this stretch is for you?
Look in a mirror. If you notice that one shoulder is lower than the other, then chances are you may benefit from this stretch.
That's especially true if you happen to have neck and shoulder pain on the side that's lower.
*Disclaimer: If you have neck and shoulder pain on the left side, and it came on suddenly without warning, you should also rule out your heart. Left neck and shoulder pain radiating down the arm can be a symptom of a heart attack, usually more often in women than in men.
Try This Unique Neck And Shoulder Pain Stretch:
-
Look in the mirror to see if one shoulder is lower than the other
-
Raise that arm up in the air and put your opposite hand on the side of your ribcage
-
Breath in to your ribcage on that side of the arm that is raised
-
As you breath in, reach your arm higher up in the air while using your other hand to push on the opposite side of the ribcage
-
Breath out allowing your ribcage to fall, but keep your arm up high in the air.
-
Repeat for 3-5 breaths.
If you're Still having Shoulder Pain, read our article on The "Sleeper Stretch" For Shoulder Pain
Need Some More Help For Neck or Shoulder Pain?
Click the button below to request a Free Consultation with one of our specialists
Like this post? Check out our other great posts on neck pain and shoulder pain such as:
Relieve Upper Back Pain Between The Shoulder Blades
Prevent Neck And Shoulder Pain From Sleeping Wrong
Are Your Neck Stretches Helping Or Harming You?