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Fitness > Stretching and Flexibility > Chest Stretches for Back Pain and Neck Pain
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Chest Stretches for Back Pain and Neck Pain

Do you hunch forward when you’re sitting? If so, your pectoral muscles may become weak, and that can strain your upper back and neck muscles. If this is a problem for you, consider doing chest stretches for back pain and neck pain. You’ll be better able to keep your shoulders back to sit and stand up straight, which can ease the pain and balance your body.

The pectoral muscles, which are located on the upper chest, connect your arms to your trunk and help you push things like a loaded grocery cart or lawnmower, hug a grandchild close to your heart, or just more easily perform movements using your arms and shoulders, like pumping your arms as you walk up a hill.

You can build up strength in your pecs with chest or bench presses, push-ups or the dumbbell fly. Or try the two stretches for neck pain and back pain listed below; the first one you can do any time of the day.

Try These Stretches for Back Pain and Neck Pain

If you have wrist or hand osteoarthritis, you can modify this exercise. Stand or sit in a low-back chair. Hold your palms face out to the sides of your shoulders and your elbows about waist level, making the shape of a “W,” keeping shoulders relaxed, not hunched. Bring elbows back to pinch shoulder blades together. Hold for three counts, relax and repeat.

Stand in front of a doorway, feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. With arms bent at the elbow in a 90-degree angle, place your palms on the sides or frame of the doorway. Lean forward and you’ll feel your pectoral muscles stretch. Bonus: The muscles on the front of your shoulders get a stretch, too.

M Bangura
08 Mar 2010, 10:46
I've taken to doing the regular pec muscle stretches as mentioned above. But i still feel lower neck pain whenever i walk for long distances.

Yes i do hunch attimes when sitting or standing, could that be the problem?

What other regular exercises must i do to prevent this pain?

Thanx *
The Editors
22 Feb 2010, 10:48
Answers to exercise questions:

Many of you have asked, "What's the best exercise for arthritis?" The Arthritis Foundation offers several gentle yet effective exercise programs through its Life Improvement Series, including the Exercise Program, Aquatic Program, Walk With Ease Program and Tai Chi Program.

These programs have been studied by research experts - some in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – and have been proven to reduce arthritis symptoms and increase mobility.

To find a program near you, contact your local Arthritis Foundation Chapter by visiting www.arthritis.org/chaptermap.php. Or to simply learn more about the programs visit www.arthritis.org/programs.php.

If the classes are full in your area, volunteer to be a program instructor to start a new class for you and others with arthritis to participate. But please remember always to consult your doctor, physical therapist and other members of your health-care team before starting any exercise routine.

"amoke," please stay tuned for the next issue of Arthritis Today magazine, which will include gentle yoga moves in the Fitness. Research based on these moves have shown to decrease falls and increase range of motion.

All the best,
The Editors
Arthritis Today
amoke
20 Feb 2010, 16:54
i fell down and i was told i have cervical spondloysis .am advise to use softneck colar with traction and tens mechine,
but the pain still comes up.
can u advice me on the best yoga execise to be used
Mike G.
01 Feb 2010, 11:36
I have pulled out every aspect of my back: Lower left -8 years ago I had been on computer in chair 12 hours a day for 4 days straight-fell on floor and it took a half hour to get up (started walking lots & cured that); 8 years later I stopped walking and exercising then got mid back and neck stuck-"painful" (lots of floor exercises -soft stretches and extensive walking with good shoes "You must hydrate-half to whole gallon water a day" --But..Again stopped walking 9 months later because I did lots of moving furniture, computer -then, lower right pulled out when I bent down to refrigerator -- This is the worst-I have it now for three weeks and it is like a heart attack in chest--but I know it is diaprahm and ribs and stressed-out mind and back muscles --Need massive stress reduction and stretching of back exercises for "all of back" and get back to doing 1-2 hour walks.
jeff
22 Jan 2010, 06:21
i am 50 yr old male with thoriac disk problem ,muscle spasms,neck spasms,low back stensosis,4failed back surgeries with screws fform last surgery axia-lif do not have this procedure no better than regular back surgery.I started doing active isolated stretching can be seen on you tube hope that it helps suppose to be the best way to stretch.
m huff
21 Jan 2010, 21:51
my sister was just diagnosed with a form of arthritis. It causes the bone around the joints to deteriorate, she has had one knee replaced and the dr is telling her it wouldn't make the pain go away if she had the other knee replaced. She also has one of her shoulders deteriorating also, the scapula is rotting away. what is the name of this type arthritis. fast growing ??
GINA BOONE
05 Nov 2009, 15:57
I have RA and fibro minalga and osterprioses, i have tried yoga but i cant make it everytime because i am in extreme pain on the bad days what should i do.
a fontana
10 Sep 2009, 12:14
I have cervical and lumbar stenosis and degenerative arthritis. I've found aquatic exercise very helpful. Low impact. Do not land with weight on your feet if you are jumping. Light weights help also in the water. Heavy weights will cause back pain later. Avoid backward leg and neck extensions. Also, I've found walking on level surface very helpful,but never uphill. Even though it is painful when I begin to walk, I find that after a short while, the pain dissapates as muscles loosen and there is no after pain. No pounding on your feet. Though I claim no professional medical certification,, I am a certified aqua instructor and have found the above helpful.
rick sanderson
11 Aug 2009, 00:17
for most looking for an exercise for arthritis, especially in the lower back. Yoga, but do not over stretch, otherwise you'll end up correcting that problem. with the yoga, take up sitting for 2 20minute sessions per day,doing meditations. The reserach says that approx. 30% get relief. What do you have to lose, nothing but everything to gain.
JEAN
06 Aug 2009, 13:46
WHAT CAN i DO FOR DISCOMFORT IN UPPER BACK AREA? THANK YOU
joann johnson
10 Jul 2009, 17:13
I am a yoga teaching yoga to seniors - we all have arthritis. Would it be possible to have access to the answers listed here?
Annette
16 Jun 2009, 10:09
I suffer with osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. My mid spine was fused at age 16 for scoliosis. I have no side movement or bending motion. I have alot of lower lumbar pain and have found that stretches are the best way to keep me moving. Before getting out of bed I lie on my back and pull my knee (one at a time with other leg extended) to my chest for a count of 30. Alternate legs. The next stretch I do is to bring the bent knee across to the opposite side of the body. You can feel the stretch up the back and buttocks. The last stretch I do is to bring my leg straight up in the air to stretch the hamstrings. After doing these, I am able to move more freely, once I have gotten out of bed. I also ride a recumbent bike for 20 minutes and do some pilates stretches that are adapted to my spinal issues. I cannot stand for more than a few minutes so walking is difficult for me. I get transferred pain from my back to my hip joints so standing and walking are bothersome. With these other forms of exercise I feel I am at least doing something for myself.
Naomi
13 May 2009, 06:11
Fibromyalgia I have fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis in my spine and hips, the doctor said I needed to do stretch exercise what kind would you recommend for me.

Thanks,

Naomi
Bev
21 Apr 2009, 14:32
Rubye;
I do not think you should be doing those exercise. You would be much better off with the water aerobics sponsered by the Arthritis Foundation. If your gym does not have a pool you might look into your local YMCA.
The water exercises are much gentler on your joints and yet they are remarkably helpful.
Jean Cassidy
19 Apr 2009, 15:49
I don't understand that doorway exercise for shoulders and back at all. In fact many of the exercise descriptions are difficult. Is it possible for sketches or stick figure drawings to be added to assist in understanding the moves and positions?
Thanks
Rubye Hines
15 Apr 2009, 13:07
I am 79 and take an exercise class (weight lifting, moderate aerobics and flexibility exercises) for one hour twice a week. I often have pain after class but particularly during the night because of osteoarthritics in my left hip and back. What moves should I NOT be doing? I believe extending my legs to the side and possibly doing wall pushups may be harmful. What about leaning forward with one arm resting on my knees while lifting a weight with the other arm directly backwards from the hip area? Thanks for your response.
Diane Dee Ivan
31 Mar 2009, 19:57
I have RA in feet, knees,hips,hands. OA in my heels,knees,spine (with osteophytes),shoulders and elbows. Fibromyalgia and cervical spondloysis. Plus a buldging disc in lumbar region.
I can't stand or walk for more than a couple of mins. What exercises are right for me.
mary k. ryan
28 Mar 2009, 09:25
What stretch exercises are appropriate for lower back pain? I have difficulty walking or standing for even a short time.

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