Neck & Shoulder Tension: Why it happens and How to Release it Naturally
- Sandy Cole-Cross
- May 29
- 2 min read
Spoiler: It’s not just your posture.
If you’re constantly doing that slow, dramatic shoulder roll every 20 minutes—or massaging your own neck like you’re trying to squeeze out a gremlin—you’re not alone.
The neck + shoulder zone is one of the most common spots for built-up tension. But it’s not always because you're “sitting wrong.” Let’s unpack what’s really going on.
🤔 The Truth About Neck and Shoulder Tension
Yes, posture plays a role. But your body isn’t mad because you slouch sometimes. It’s responding to:
Stress (your nervous system lives in your neck, and it knows when you’re not okay)
Overuse of devices (looking down at your phone = more weight on your neck)
Shallow breathing (yep—your shoulders help when you’re not breathing deeply)
Lack of movement variety (repetitive tasks, even workouts, can tighten up patterns)
Old habits like clenching your jaw or tensing during focus without even realizing - Im guilty of this one!
🧘♀️ Try This Quick 3-Step Reset
Breathe Into Your Ribs - Inhale wide into your side ribs. This helps drop your shoulders naturally and calm your system.
Unclench Your Jaw - Try right now. Feel your shoulders drop? That’s your body letting go of tension it didn’t know it was holding.
Try these tools!!
Kineon Myofascial Release Trigger Point & Release Tool - I use this small-but-mighty tool in sessions and at home to boost circulation and release stubborn tension. It’s easy to use solo—especially on the traps and shoulders.
InvoSpa Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Heat - I have had this particular thing for yeeaarrrssssss!! I absolutely love this. I sit in bed and just releax my tight ass neck!
Don't like cords? I even have a cordless one, Zyllion Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager with Heat (FSA HSA Eligible)...a little more in cost. But does the same thing, just without the cord!
Heads up: I may earn a small commission if you snag something through these links—no extra cost to you, just helps me keep sharing the good stuff.
Bonus: Try My Moving Freely In Your Neck sesh on YouTube Just 15 minutes to wake up sleepy muscles and calm overactive ones.
💆♀️ Where Massage Comes In
In my sessions, we go deeper with:
Targeted deep Myofascial Release and Deep Tissue with Mobilization.
Neck traction and shoulder decompression
Gentle techniques to calm your nervous system so your body can let go
🎯 Ready to Feel Lighter?
If your shoulders feel like they’re permanently hunched around your ears, you don’t have to live like that.
📅 Book a neck + shoulder-focused massage here Or try the YouTube flow first and see how it feels. Your body’s always talking—you just have to listen (and then help it out a little).
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