By Ken Belveal, Virtual Exercise Physiologist | Stand Up Str8 Why the Upper Trapezius Tightens Up If you feel constant tension at the base of your neck or across your shoulders — especially after long days at the desk, behind the wheel, or on your phone — your upper trapezius  is working overtime. These muscles help lift your shoulders and stabilize your neck, but modern posture habits keep them activated far too often. Over time, they become overused and shortened , leading

Understanding PNF Stretching If you’ve ever stretched and felt like you weren’t getting anywhere — your hamstrings still tight, your hips still stiff — then PNF stretching  might be the missing link. PNF stands for Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation , and while that’s a mouthful, the concept is simple: you alternate between contracting and relaxing a muscle to help it lengthen more effectively. It’s not just about pulling a muscle and holding it. It’s about teaching yo

If you spend hours working at a desk, driving, or simply notice your shoulders rolling forward, chances are your chest muscles are tight....

If you’ve ever felt like your rows aren’t doing much for your back, you’re not alone. The dumbbell row is a staple exercise, but most...

Tight hamstrings are one of the most common movement restrictions I see, especially in adults over 50. If you’ve ever felt stiffness when...

If you’ve ever felt tightness in your neck, trouble turning your head fully, or even shallow breathing after long hours at a desk, your...