Barbara WintroubI would love to get a massage every week, especially on my shoulders and neck. Unfortunately, I cannot. But what I can do is stretch my neck muscles to help release my shoulders. Sometimes it seems like all I am doing every day is stretching. Wait a minute, I am stretching every day. Maybe not all my body parts, but some of them. What I’m saying is, “Stretching should be a part of your life.” I know you’re busy pickleball players, but I’m sure you sit in front of the TV or computer for a few hours each day, so you could use that time to stretch some parts of you.
Here are three stretches that will help; do them on both sides. Exhale while doing the stretches. Hold for a count of 10.
#1 Place one hand on your head, the other on your shoulder to keep it down. Try to drop your ear toward your shoulder.
#2 Place one hand on top of your head. Rotate chin toward shoulder. Look at your foot.
#3 Hold your wrist behind you. Pull shoulder down and back while tilting head the other direction.