Massage Therapy for Correcting Rounded Shoulders

Do you ever think about your posture? It probably brings to mind the echoing, nagging words of a parent or teacher telling you to stand up straight. As adults, it’s probably not something we tend to think about- but it plays an integral role in our comfort and well being. Those aches and pains that start to become more apparent with age can easily be corrected by improved posture.

Most of us spend a great deal of time in front of a computer or hunched over reading and writing throughout our work days. This repetitive misalignment leads the muscles in the front of our neck and shoulders to tighten and shorten, while the muscles in the back of our neck and shoulders become weakened and lengthened. This can lead to head aches, tension and pain in the upper neck and shoulders, and even lower back pain and digestion issues. Our body is entirely interconnected, so when one area is out of sorts, in the long term- it will affect the whole.

Not to mention that rounded shoulders are not exactly the most flattering look to be sporting. It projects an image of low confidence and a lack of self esteem.

I personally suffered from these concerns a great deal. Early in my career, I did a LOT of manicures and pedicures. I was constantly hunched over and my pectoral muscles were so tight, they were pulling my shoulders forward. The front of my neck was super tight; I was suffering a lot of pain and starting to get head aches on almost a weekly basis. Rather than relying on pain killers, I decided to invest in regular massage therapy sessions every two weeks. My headaches subsided and I was able to function and work with almost no pain or discomfort. Not to mention the relaxation and stress relief I got from the regular routine of having a massage.

The key to correcting rounded shoulders is in allowing the muscles that are shortened and tight to be relaxed and lengthened while stimulating the lengthened and weakened muscles to re-energize to provide the support that’s needed. A Registered Massage Therapist can help to retrain your muscles and correct rounded shoulders through deep tissue and myofascial techniques. Your RMT will also give you exercises and stretches to do at home in between sessions to maintain and improve your treatment results.

So don’t let the stresses of your work day work their way into your posture- book in for an RMT massage!