Exercise A:
  • Stretches side of the torso
  • Restores mobility to the ribcage
  • Significantly reduces tension in the shoulders

Hint: Overworked tissues repair faster when they are stretched softly and carefully.
  • Lie on the floor with your knees bent and your feet about hip-width apart
  • Place your palms together and extend your arms and fingertips toward the ceiling.

Exercise B:

This is an excellent exercise for improving the range of motion of the ribcage and shoulders, and releasing the latissimus, a large, flat muscle often involved in shoulder pain and discomfort.
  • With your palms together, roll your arms and shoulders to the left
  • Your hips should remain on the floor
  • Take a deep breath and relax your head, neck and spine
  • For variation, try raising your arms so your fingertips are extended slightly above the level of your forehead.

Copyright 1996: Sharon J. Butler

How to Stretch: Do the stretches slowly and deliberately. Stretch gently. As soon as you notice discomfort, tightness or pain, pause until irritation has ceased before you continue the stretch.