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UW Health SMPH

Chest and Shoulder Stretch

The chest and shoulder stretch
  • Sitting or standing tall, slowly tuck your chin as you glide your head backward over your body (dorsal glide).
  • Raise both arms so that your hands are next to your ears.
  • Take a deep breath, and as you breathe out, lower your elbows down and behind your back. You will feel your shoulder blades slide down and together, and at the same time you will feel a stretch across your chest and the front of your shoulders.
  • Hold for about 6 seconds, then relax for up to 10 seconds.
  • Repeat 8 to 12 times.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics
Last Revised July 30, 2012

Last Revised: July 30, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics

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