In our June 23rd Wellness Wednesday, Dr. Allan Mishra, an orthopaedic surgeon at Stanford, spoke about the importance of daily stretching to keep our shoulders in optimal shape. Tight shoulders can cause a myriad of problems, from pain or stiffness in the neck, back, and upper body, to limitations on daily activities. Less-than-optimal posture, incorrect sleeping positions, tension, and injuries can all lead to tight shoulders.
The good news is that about five minutes a day of shoulder stretching can eliminate tightness and increase shoulder mobility. I reached out to Jim Colvin, founder of Jim’s Gym Comes to You, for a series of simple stretches that could be done by anyone, including older adults, on a daily basis.
As we age, we tend to round forward, which is unhealthy for our spine and internal organs. Stretching the upper body leads to a more upright position and increases the overall mobility of our shoulder joints, tendons, and muscles. - Jim Colvin, personal trainer
Watch this video to learn four simple stretches for the neck and shoulders that you can do in about five minutes.
If you missed Dr. Mishra’s webinar on “Healthy Shoulders As You Age,” click below to view it.