Easing Neck and Shoulder Tension From Desk Life

Long hours at a computer or on the phone can leave your neck, shoulders and upper back feeling tight and tired. If that is your day-to-day, you are in good company, and a few small changes can make a real difference.

Move every hour. Set a gentle reminder to stand, roll your shoulders and walk for a minute or two. Even small movement breaks help keep stiffness from building.

Check your setup. Try to keep your screen at about eye level, your feet flat on the floor and your elbows relaxed at your sides. Little adjustments can take a surprising amount of strain off your neck.

Stretch gently. Slowly tilt your ear toward one shoulder and hold for a few breaths, then switch sides. Never force a stretch, and stop if anything hurts.

Breathe on purpose. When we concentrate, we tend to hold our breath or breathe shallowly. A few slow, deep breaths can help your shoulders drop.

Schedule a reset. A massage focusing on the head, neck, shoulders and back can ease built-up tension and help you notice how you hold yourself. That is exactly what our 30-minute Introductory Massage is designed for, and it can be done in a chair, fully clothed.

If you have numbness, tingling or pain that does not go away, please see your doctor. Otherwise, a little care for your upper body can go a long way toward helping you feel better at the end of a long workday.