If you find yourself slouching when you’re sitting at a computer for a long period of time try this simple stretch to improve your posture and prevent pain.

First, get up off the chair, and move around a bit. Holding any position for too long is a strain on the body, even when you are just sitting.

While standing, do some shoulder shrugs. First, stand up straight and pull your shoulder blades closer together so your back is not rounded. Shrug your shoulders up toward your ears as high as you can, and hold them there while inhaling for five counts. When you slowly exhale (also five counts), slowly press those shoulders down as you let your breath out. Don’t just drop the shoulders and let gravity do the work, but really press them down. Repeat several times.

This activity involves your trapezius muscle, as well as a few others, and gives the trapezius a gentle stretch. It also encourages circulation to the muscle.

When you sit down again, think about squeezing your shoulder blades together in the back and down into your back pockets.
A properly aligned posture puts less strain on our bodies, so we can function without pain.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 13th, 2005 at 6:59 pm and is filed under Self-Care/Massage Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.