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Does your upper back hurt?

Does your upper back hurt? Feel tight in your shoulders? Have you ever wondered why? Take a minute to think about your positions throughout the day. Are you hunched over a computer? With your head forward? Are your arms forward for hours of driving the car? Do you sleep on your side, crunching your chest closed?
Is it possible that our back muscles are overstretched and our front muscles are shortened? I believe a lot of soreness and tension in the back is because those muscles are overstretched. When they are asked to work, they lack strength because they have been maxed out and gotten stuck, like a rubber band stretched to it's maximum potential for days. It is possible the tissues have become dehydrated. The front body/chest muscles have possibly become shortened and locked and dehydrated, as well.
Getting a massage feels great and can begin to help loosen the elastic component of the connective tissue but, for longer lasting results, we need to release and rehydrate the extra-cellular matrix of the connective tissue. Also, we should also work to change positioning throughout the day. You are in charge of your body. You are with your body all day, every day, (maybe?)...
Try this simple stretch against a wall or doorway. Place a hand or elbow about shoulder height at the wall. Then step forward so that your arm is slightly behind you and you can feel your chest open. Be gentle with yourself. Never force. Don't push to end range. Now, tune in and see if your neck is relaxed. Are your shoulders still holding any tension? Drop your shoulders away from your ears. How does this feel to your rib cage? The pectoral muscles? Breathe. Can you stay here about 3-5 minutes and wait for your tissues to soften? Smile. Relax. Undo your day. You are worth it.


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