Neck/upper body stiffness

[Shecowarrior]

Anyone give advice on why I get neck/upper body aching and stiffness after a run? I'm working on my breathing as I thought this might have something to do with it.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on getting started.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on posture, minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

The commonest cause of neck stiffness is carrying something in your hands, which creates asymmetric tensions in your body. The other possibility is general posture and there is a link in the guide to a piece about posture.

Enjoy your journey.

[Shecowarrior in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks. That's really useful. I'll check out the link on posture. Taking on board your comment about carrying something I've also ordered an armband to put my phone in 😃

[Hidden]

I am new on here but read your post about neck pain and aches. This is a problem i get sometimes and find i tend to tense up. As soon as I try to relax into the run my neck pain eases. I know it isn't easy but worth a try.

[Shecowarrior in reply to Hidden]

Thanks bassangler1. I think you're right about tensing up and I think that might be my problem. Is there a particular strategy you use to relax?

[Hidden in reply to Shecowarrior]

No technique just loosen up😊

[FreedomToRun Graduate]

Very simple yoga stretches can help. I’ve got alot of tension giving me a headache and it does help to stretch

[Shecowarrior in reply to FreedomToRun]

Thanks blueskyabove. I'll try that