Simple Exercise to Keep Your Shoulders Down

This exercise is to help keep your shoulders down. If the muscles that elevate your shoulders become over worked and tight; it can cause pain, soreness and potentially headaches.
This usually is caused by having a "shrugged" position while working at your desk.
This exercise can help strengthen the muscles that draw your shoulder blades "downwards" to counter act the muscles that draw the shoulder blades "upwards".
This video is for educational purposed ONLY. Always consult with your health care professional to be sure that this and other exercises are right for you.
Following this exercise, you do so at your own risk. We hold zero responsibility for any injury incurred.
www.ventepainrelief.ca

[@juan.engineer1954]

This is excellent. I feel a strongly noticeable difference after doing just 15 reps. My shoulders reset to be more downward. I will keep doing this exercise. Thank you for the instructional video!!

[@VentePainReliefClinicToronto]

Thank you Juan for comment!

[@jhunellabial8852]

Will this be helpful in ballroom dancing in making a good framing, and can i do this everyday?

[@VentePainReliefClinicToronto]

It might. Unsure because I am a non expert in Ball room technique.

[@marrun7708]

my rt side neck has been hurting for about 3 months- that is how I pay attention to my shoulders- when I type for some reason my shoulder go up & stay risen..this is creating pain on my neck - now that I am aware I am constantly bringing down my shoulders... (I thought I was the only one... I felt uncomfortable to mention it to friends...) Thank you for educating us... I will definitely try the exercise. Thank you ... Thank you!

[@VentePainReliefClinicToronto]

Mar run no problem!

[@mr.indianpeople5983]

How many reps?

[@jonathankr]

Should i be resisting on the up or the down or both? Should i mainly use my legs to lift my body up and use my back to push down and therefore lifting my body up? should i not use my legs to lift up my body?

[@VentePainReliefClinicToronto]

Jonathan, thank you for your question and I apologize for the delay. Your legs are used just to keep you stable. There should be minimal pushing from the legs. Think of this as doing a "dip" without using your elbows and triceps to press. The elbows should be more straight with a slight bend. Try to keep it in this position through the movement. Your focus should be more on trying to press your shoulder blades downwards. I hope this helps.

[@wattoman28]

Hah i did this yesterday. now ive seen this ill feel less silly and will keep doing it

[@caramacdonald7954]

Will this help when dancing ?

[@VentePainReliefClinicToronto]

Depends on what movements you are performing.

[@jonathankr]

sorry, one more question. can i do this excerice everyday? or every other day is best?

[@VentePainReliefClinicToronto]

This is more of a corrective exercise. It's not meant to be used as part of a fitness routine per se. Usually I give this exercise to those that tend to shrug their shoulders. They tend to have their shoulders towards their ears. The video was intended more for educational purpose, I strongly suggest you double check with a healthcare provider to give you input on this exercise in regards to your question.

[@Wee-Snaw]

wouldn't this exercise build the upper trapezius muscles and just make the problem worse?

[@VentePainReliefClinicToronto]

The Upper Trapezius draw your shoulders upwards (elevation). The resistance for this exercise is in the opposite direction of the action of the upper traps. The attempt is to try to "push" your shoulder blades downwards (depression of the scapulae) against your body's resistance, thus strengthening the Lower Trapezius.