Three Exercises to Strengthen Your Shoulders & Upper Back Maintaining strength throughout your shoulders and upper back is crucial to avoid neck pain! The physical therapists at Fritz Physical Therapy can help you develop a customized exercise program that addresses your needs and fits with your abilities. Curious about what exercises we might include in that program? Here’s an overview of three common resistance training exercises we often use to help people with neck discomfort. Before trying any of them yourself, make an appointment with our team to ensure you’re using the right weight and proper form. 1. Shoulder Press: With a dumbbell in each hand, make a “field goal” shape with your arms: your arms are bent at a 90-degree angle with your palms facing up. Brace your core as you press the weights overhead, then slowly lower them back down to your starting position. 2. Reverse Flies: Lean forward at your waist with your elbows slightly bent and dumbbell in each hand. Slowly raise the weights until they are in line with your shoulders. 3. Modified Push-Ups: Push-ups are a great way to build upper back and shoulder strength, but if you find the standard push-up too difficult, never fear: the modified version is just as effective. Start on your hands and knees (instead of your feet) with the body in a straight line from head to knee. Slowly lower your chest until it’s a few inches off the floor, then rise back up. A dedicated strength-training program is a great way to reduce neck discomfort. Schedule an appointment with us to get started with one of your own!
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