• Home
  • Work With Me
    • Online Better Body Coaching
    • 1:1 Coaching
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop My Favourites
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Work With Me
    • Online Better Body Coaching
    • 1:1 Coaching
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Shop My Favourites
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Health - Mindset - Life

Best Stretches For Tight Shoulders

October 17, 2022 · In: Fitness, Fitness Tips

Best Stretches For Tight Shoulders
Image made with Canva Pro

Do you suffer from tight, neck shoulders or upper back? Throughout this article, I’ll share the best stretches for tight shoulders, how to improve shoulder mobility, as well as mobilising the chest, upper back and thoracic spine too.

Shoulder pain it’s the 3rd most common musculoskeletal pain that gets reported. It’s often chronic in nature, meaning that people just learn to live with it, it’s often hard to pinpoint the exact causes and also difficult to treat.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by COACH ➡️ Health✨Mindset ✨Life (@emmacolseynicholls)

Shoulder, neck and back pain can be debilitating, it can affect your sleep, your work life and prevent you from being able to exercise the way that you want to. Even if you are not experiencing chronic pain yet, maintaining good function of this joint is a good preventative measure against future aches and pains.

Our daily routines consist of the average desk worker hunching over a computer screen for long periods of time which is contributing to this high number of shoulder complaints. The constant rounding forward causes elongation of the back muscles and shortening and tightening of the chest/ pec muscles and rounding shoulders. The result is tight and stiff shoulders that don’t function as well as they should, causing stiffness in the upper back area and can open you up to an increased risk of injury.

Couple the tight shoulders with the elongation of the muscles that run down the back of the neck caused by too much time spent looking down at our phones and it’s easy to see why our posture seems to be getting worse and worse. Our modern-day habits around technology are changing the mechanics of human posture, and not for the better as we get weak muscles and less range of motion at the joint.

Image Canva Pro

The shoulder joint is a complex joint and is the most mobile joint in the body. It’s involved with a wide range of movements from pushing, pulling, and rotating. It also is supportive of the movement of the scapula in the back (shoulder blades). Because of the range of mobility of this joint and the fact most people use their arms for everyday activities on a daily basis and with poor posture, it’s easy to see why shoulder tightness, shoulder pain and neck pain are so common.

I have been doing lots of work on my computer and my desk is not really at the right height and so I have been really feeling the tightness and tension in my own shoulders and so the sequence below has been a godsend.

The good news is that with effective shoulder stretches and mobility work on the shoulders and the surrounding areas, when added into our exercise routine can counteract the negative effects on posture and support positive joint integrity. It goes without saying that this type of work should never replace the advice of a physical therapist, and why its a good idea to get professional medical advice if you are experiencing prolonged pain. 

Alongside any professional advice the simple and short additions of mobility work that are to follow can help relieve shoulder, back and neck pain. We want to work on keeping the joint mobile as well as having a balanced upper body strength training to also keep the joint stable and strong.

Improving posture will help reduce pain and stiffness, but it can also have a huge impact on how you feel within yourself. If you want to show up as your best most confident self, just rolling your shoulders back, lifting up your chest and standing up tall feels damn empowering.

Be mindful of your posture throughout the day, when sitting, walking and I will always remind my clients during workouts to have a posture check as a solid foundation for posture will help you perform workouts and daily life more effectively and also safely so you can keep those pesky injuries at bay.

This upper body mobility routine is short and can be performed easily from home with no equipment required. Though a session like this could also be complimented with the addition of some foam rolling work. Though it can often be a little painful, foam rolling and facia release is something I highly recommend.

This Blackroll set is awesome and contains all of my favourite facia release tools. I may do a facia release video, so if that is something you would like to see next be sure to let me know.

Rather than providing a stretching program that performs only static stretches, I prefer to use dynamic stretches and mobility exercises that are performed slowly, mindfully and with control that can easily be added to your daily routine after a long day. This is the best way I have found to integrate mobility work that doesn’t have to take up a ton of time.

These simple movements are effective in helping to release muscle tension, including neck stretches, aiming to improve shoulder health and relieve achy shoulders. Not only will you experience a good stretch but there is also a good chance that you will experience a release from chronic stress that is also felt in the shoulders and contributes to shoulder problems.

I really hope you will feel an immense benefit from this gentle stretch work, so grab your mat perform a few shoulder rolls and lets get to it. Be sure to let me know in the comments how you found this session and if you would like to get more of these type of workouts.

I hope you found this useful, if you did be sure to share it with your friends. It really helps me to be able to reach and help more people.

You may also enjoy these mobility sessions too.

Mobility Workout To Reduce Stiffness & Improve Results

Disclaimer – This article contains affiliate links. That just means that I may earn a commission if you choose to buy through one of my links, but at no additional charge to you. I only share items that I truly love and recommend and would use myself.

By: admin · In: Fitness, Fitness Tips · Tagged: best stretches, mobility work, shoulder mobility, shoulder stretches

you’ll also love

hip mobility exercisesThe Best Hip Mobility Exercises You Need to Try
health and fitness myths7 Health And Fitness Myths That Women Need To Stop Falling For
walking for weight lossWhy Walking Could Be The Secret To Successful Weight Loss

Join the List

Get access to the free 5-day Better Body kickstart plan

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

How Celebrities Lose Weight, The Dark Truths

Primary Sidebar

Meet Emma

Meet Emma
hello!

Hey, I'm Emma. I help 40+ women eat better, move better and live happier. Start your Better Body journey today by joining the 5 day kickstart challenge!

Join Now

Connect

Coaching With Emma

Featured Posts

stacy sims workout plan

I Tried Stacy Sims Workout Plan: My Honest Review of the Power Happens Programme

fitness gifts for women

Best Fitness Gifts For Women 2025

Are Food Intolerance Tests Accurate

Are Food Intolerance Tests Accurate? My Honest Review After 4 Weeks

Categories

  • Fitness
  • Lifestyle
  • Nutrition

Search

Archives

Follow Along

@emmacolseynicholls

emmacolseynicholls

Hyrox training session, and no lie this was disgus Hyrox training session, and no lie this was disgusting. I’m not sure I ever want to do it again. 

The skipping should have really been a run but it was raining and I didn’t want to!!

Still an incredibly tough workout

#hyrox #workout #fitnessmotivation #fitnessover40
We’ve officially hit the final quarter of 2025 👏

Now’s your moment to check in with your goals — how’s your energy, your consistency, your strength, your habits?

What’s working, what’s not, and what do you still want to achieve before the year is out?

Small shifts now = big results later.

Let’s finish 2025 feeling stronger, healthier, and more like we have our sh*t together

My favourite planner from @The Inspired Stories 

#goalscheck #motivationoftheday
I’m excited to try out this smart skipping /jump I’m excited to try out this smart skipping /jump rope from @everjumpfit 

Think the Pelaton of skipping 👌 as I’ll be honest once Hyrox is done I really don’t love running anymore but I do want to keep up my cardio fitness and support bone health with impact. So expect a skipping challenge to be coming up very soon

I also think these will make for an awesome Xmas present too

#midlifefitness #fitnessover40
I have been loving some of my latest natural skinc I have been loving some of my latest natural skincare finds. 

And I always get lots of comments when I share these. These are my latest find and they have my skin super glowy right now. 

I love the fact that they are super affordable too. Tumeric cleansing pads have been a huge win, they have been even good for Clayton’s teenage skin too. 

I’ll link both the pads and beef tallow in the comments. 

#naturalbeauty #NaturalSkinCare #naturalskincareroutine
Come and workout with me as here we are prepping f Come and workout with me as here we are prepping for ski and snowboard season. So this means programming in some unilateral and rotational work. 

Save this and try it on your next workout.

I have loved this training block. New block starts next week. Locals get booked in ahead of time. Let’s go 🙌

#fitnessover40 #workoutvideo #workoutmotivation
I tried a Dr Stacy Sims workout plan for 90 days a I tried a Dr Stacy Sims workout plan for 90 days and I think this has been one of my favourite program reviews to date

If you want to see more on my results and what’s included in the programme I did a full break down on my YT. Comment ‘sims’ if you want to see the full review and I’ll send it over

#womensworkout #fitnessover40
Always incredibly proud of both my kids but @clayt Always incredibly proud of both my kids but @claytoncolseynicholls is ready to take things up a notch and yes I am forever and always going to take credit for all of it thanks to this study 😂😂

Forever grateful that the best gift iv probably ever given my kids is to be fit and health. All be it I was a lot fitter and healthier back when I filmed these videos some 10 years ago 🙈🙈
Your skin is your biggest organ and so health isn’t just what you out in it, but it’s also important to mindful of what you put on it. 

I’ll never be perfect but I try and make natural beauty swaps where I can. 

And adding Beef Tallow is one recent natural beauty swap iv made recently and I’m in LOVE with this product. Especially on my dry AF flakey legs too 

#NaturalBeauty #toxicfree #MidlifeWellness #MidlifeBeauty
Stop relying on motivation, instead work on cultiv Stop relying on motivation, instead work on cultivating discipline and habit 

What’s one habit you know u need to work on this week??

Mine is reducing sugar intake and upping running if I want to hit my goals

#fitnessmotivation #fitnesslife #fitnessover40
Move Better is back!!! And my body is very happy a Move Better is back!!! And my body is very happy about it.

Mondays 9am. A class that combines mobility and natural movement sequences with influences from Pilates and yoga

When your body moves better you a less likely to be impacted by injury and more likely to ski and snowboard better to

Dm me if u have questions or want to book. OR none locals I have some online versions too and will be working to create more soon. Again mesg me and I’ll send them over. 

#mobility #mobilitytraining #mobilityexercises
Hyrox training 2 done, thanks @project_performance Hyrox training 2 done, thanks @project_performance_morzine . With my actual partner @mrsjochard and I promis i did 1/2 ans didn’t just make her do it all. Good work partner, now I just need to try and keep up with her 😂😂

1hr 15 and dying the entire way!!!

I month to go!! More running must be done 🤪

#hyrox #hyroxtraining
Restart, reset, refocus as many times as you need. Restart, reset, refocus as many times as you need. Midweek midday, start again in the next moment. 

You don’t need to wait until the start of a new week, new month, you can restart right now

Keep going, it will be worth it

#midlifewomen #healthyhabits #fitnessmotivaton #fitnessover40
Remind yourself what it’s all for When the worl Remind yourself what it’s all for

When the world feels crazy and out of control the best thing you can do is come back to you

Come back to your goals, focus on self care and be kind in a world that seems to perpetuate hate

Do one thing today to give yourself a good start to this week. Maybe it’s a healthy breakfast, drink up your water, schedule in your workout

#selfcare #fitnessjourney #wellnessthatworks #fitnessover40
Are food intolerance tests accurate? I share my ex Are food intolerance tests accurate? I share my experience with bioresnance testing in my latest video and review. I’ll post the link in the comments if you have been considering a food intolerance test #nutrition #wellness #wellbeingjourney
The first week back in routine can feel chaotic. S The first week back in routine can feel chaotic. Schedules, to-do lists, lunches, work… it’s a lot. But here’s the thing — waiting for the perfect time to get back into your workouts? That’s a trap. You don’t need to crush a full gym session or tick every box in your plan.You just need to do something. A 15-minute walk. A quick bodyweight circuit. A short strength session. Stretching while watching tv or scrolling. .Movement clears your mind, boosts energy, and reminds you that you’ve got this. This week, aim for consistency over intensity. Because something really is better than nothing. Let’s break the cycle of putting it off. Start now — however small #backtoroutine #mumlife #womensfitness #moveeveryday #somethingisbetterthannothing
I think people often underestimate how long it tak I think people often underestimate how long it takes to create long form videos. At least in the style I do them

I do health and fitness product reviews and experiments. Some videos can take 5-10 hours some 40+

I do need to speed up my process, but honestly I love long form and YouTube is my main platform and I’m very close to hitting 10k subscribers. Yey!!!

It’s been a loooong journey but I love creating content to support midlife women on their health journey

So if your are like me and enjoy watching longer form videos whilst your cooking or cleaning the house. Then come and join me over there

I have some exciting videos coming up as I’m back in create mode after a little summer break. 

#smallyoutuber #smallyoutubechannel #midlifewomen #fitnessover40
End of the month check-in. There’s something abo End of the month check-in. There’s something about back-to-school season that feels like a fresh start — not just for the kids, but for us too. 

This is the perfect moment to: 
✔️ Set clear intentions 
✔️ Map out the steps to make them happen 
✔️ Commit to how you want to FEEL as we close out the year. 

➡️ What intention are you setting for the next month? 

#MonthlyReset #BackToSchoolVibes #PlannerLife #EndOfMonthReset #GoalSetting #MidlifeMotivation
I blinked and almost missed it!! How is summer ov I blinked and almost missed it!!

How is summer over already!!! Good job I take pics and video it all, otherwise I might forget any of it happened. 

Keeping commitment to trying new things that stop me feeling like life is just downhill. It’s not, there is always something new to discover or do

Keep exploring, keep living because the world is f*cked right now and if you let it, it will only pull u down. 

Believe in good things and good people ❤️
Over 40? Don’t skip creatine. This one supplemen Over 40? Don’t skip creatine. This one supplement can help you: Build strength, Protect your bones, Boost brainpower, Support midlife metabolism. And no — it won’t bulk you up!💖 Just 3-5g a day can make a huge difference. Try adding it ti start feeling stronger, sharper, and more energised. #creatineforwomen #womenshealthover40 #strongnotskinny #midlifefitness #supplementstack #womenswellness #perimenopausehealth #over40fitness
As I get older training isn’t so much about asth As I get older training isn’t so much about asthetics, it’s more about longevity and to keep on being able to do fun things and keep putting the living in life

#fitnessmotivation #fitnessover40
Follow on Instagram

Footer

Shop

Info

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Terms Of Use

stay in the know

Copyright © 2025 · Theme by 17th Avenue

Manage Cookie Consent
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}