Neck and shoulder tightness

[51startingtorun]

Does anybody else get a stiff neck the day after a run? I've completed wk5r2 and I've found after the last few runs I've been feeling tight afterwards, maybe my running posture ?

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

Try shoulders back, hips forward, chin up at 90 degrees and look into the distance. Otherwise, see a physio. Hope this helps.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

When running try to relax your shoulders. In the meantime try a few neck rotations , clockwise then anti clockwise. For your shoulders move your full arm in a circular motion forwards the backwards . 😊

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

We can have a tendency to bring our shoulders up without realising it, especially if we're feeling tense. Try to consciously every so often just drop your shoulders down and pull them back as if trying to make your shoulder blades touch and release.

Once home definitely do some neck and shoulder stretching as mentioned by Buddy34 👍🏻

[Sham19]

I’ve started using an acupressure Mat and find it really beneficial

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Are you holding anything in your hands?

This can cause tensions and is best avoided.

You hands should be loose, not clenched, arms swinging loosely, bent at approximately ninety degrees.

[shrinkingjaz Graduate]

It's easy to hunch your shoulders and look down when you run. Head up, shoulders back. I even rotate my shoulders backwards a few times while running as I find it helps keep my shoulder posture in check.

Get yourself checked out at a physio if you're concerned 😊

[Speedy60 Graduate]

I was getting lower back ache from poor posture. I took some advice to try the yoga child's pose. It worked a treat, pain gone instantly. I don't know if there's a yoga pose or exercise that might help you release tension.

[Alast]

I have suffered with my back for years, in particular my lower back, neck & shoulders. For the past 5 years or so I've been having treatments form a sports massage therapist (I've tried chiropractors, osteopaths, acupuncture & so on, but for me the massage is the only thing that's worked). Initially weekly, then fornightly, monthly and now every 8 weeks. He' been a runner for many years and was surprised to her that I'd started C25K when I saw him on Wednesday. (He'd been unable to offer treatments for the past six months due to health problems of his own). He asked me if I was suffering any additional problems with my neck & shoulders now I'd started running and when I said no, he said that's a good sign, you're obviously not lifting your arms & shoulders up too high then! So, as others have mentioned above, I'd suggest that you make a conscious effort when you are running also to not do that, plus, do the exercises suggested after your rune (or maybe even during them if you can?) and see if that helps. Good luck, I hope this all helps.

[51startingtorun Graduate]

Thanks for all the advice folks, I did some neck and shoulder relief yoga this morning n feel much better, I'll take all your advice on Monday when I do the 20 minute run ....no weekend runs for me as I have 2 x 12.5 hour shifts at work so bit of a longer break for me x