Shoulder tension? It’s probably not what you think
Most of us experience tight, achy shoulders at some point – especially if we spend a lot of time driving, working at a screen, juggling home life, or simply carrying the weight of the world (or handbag) on one side.
But what if that tension wasn’t something wrong?
What if it was just your body asking for something different?
Your shoulders are built to move – not to be perfect
We’re often told to ‘sit up straight,’ ‘pull your shoulders back,’ or ‘fix your posture.’
But the truth is:
Your shoulders don’t need to be perfect. They need to be used, supported and moved in different ways. Your shoulder isn’t just one joint. It’s actually part of a three-part team:
- The glenohumeral joint (the classic ball-and-socket)
- The scapula (your shoulder blade, which glides over your ribcage)
- The thoracic spine (your upper back – often forgotten but absolutely vital)
When all three work well together, your shoulders feel light, supported and mobile. When one of them gets a bit stuck or overworked… the others feel it.
Myth: Phones and laptops are the problem
It’s easy to blame screens for shoulder tension – and yes, modern life encourages a lot of sitting and scrolling.
But your devices aren’t the enemy.
The real issue? Staying in the same position for too long.
Whether you’re watching Netflix or reading a book, it’s the lack of variety that starts to build discomfort. Our bodies thrive on movement and change, not fixed perfect posture.
Try this instead:
- Shift positions regularly
- Add in shoulder rolls or neck turns throughout the day
- Set a gentle reminder to stand and stretch every hour or so
You don’t need to eliminate screen time — you just need to pepper in more movement.
What shoulder tension is really telling you
That feeling of tightness? It’s often not about damage.
It’s more likely:
- Muscles working overtime to protect you
- A bit of imbalance or fatigue
- Stress or emotional load showing up physically
- Simply a signal that something needs to move
The good news? All of that is changeable.
You don’t need to brace, stretch aggressively, or chase perfect alignment. You just need to bring awareness back to the area, gently and consistently.
The Shoulder Care Blueprint: Coming Soon
I’ve been working on something new to support exactly this.
It’s called the Shoulder Care Blueprint – a simple, no-fuss approach to understanding and caring for your shoulders with:
- Movement that feels good
- Strength that doesn’t rely on tension
- Awareness, not overwhelm
Like the Backcare Blueprint, it’s grounded in real-life bodies, not textbook ideals.
In the Meantime…
- Get curious about how your shoulders feel when you move.
- Try short bursts of movement during your day (not just long workouts)
- Ditch the posture pressure – and give yourself permission to move more, not hold more.
Your body’s not broken. It’s just waiting to reconnect!
