Healthy Living

Exercises at Your Workstation: Shoulders

Choose a preferred language

Tight shoulders? Aching back? A few easy moves can help your shoulders and back feel better. Take a few minutes during your day to do these exercises, right at your desk. They'll loosen up your muscles, keep you more alert, and make a big difference in how you work and feel.


Breathe deeply as you do your exercises. Breathe in through your nose. Breathe out through your mouth.


For your shoulders

Warm-up

  • Drop your head gently to your chest. While breathing in, slowly roll your head up to your left shoulder. While breathing out, slowly roll your head back to center. Repeat to the right.

  • Repeat 3 times on each side.

Shoulder raise

  • Slowly raise your shoulders toward your ears. Hold for a few seconds.

  • Rotate shoulders back and down.

  • Repeat 3 times.

Man doing shoulder raise exercise.

Shoulder blade squeeze

  • Put your hands up, forearms raised.

  • Push your arms back, squeezing your shoulder blades. Hold for a few seconds, then relax.

  • Repeat 3 times.

Man doing back press exercise.


Points to remember

  • Move through these slowly. Do not rush or do them at a fast pace.

  • None of these exercises should cause pain. So do not push yourself into a painful range. And do not do any exercise that causes pain.

  • Don't exercise when you're sick or feeling very fatigued.

If you feel pain while doing these stretching exercises, stop and contact your healthcare provider.

Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN

Online Medical Reviewer: Trina Bellendir PT

Online Medical Reviewer: Vinita Wadhawan Researcher

Date Last Reviewed: 04/01/2024

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Start your journey toward better health

Select a primary care physician who will deliver personal care, close to home.

Find a Doctor

Need Help?

Get the right care at the right time.

Learn More
Related Articles
Read article
Wellness
The Physical Power of Social Support

Certain behaviors may help safeguard you from illness and disease. These include exercising regularly and sleeping enough. Here may be another--staying socially connected. It may well do your body good.

Read article
Wellness
Washing Your Hands

Here are images that show the steps of hand washing.

Read article
Wellness
Preventing Physical Assault

The following tips describe how to reduce your chances of being physically assaulted.

Read article
Wellness
Can Optimism Make a Difference in Your Life?

A growing number of scientific studies indicate that optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people.