“Deskercize” is exactly how it sounds: exercises you can do at your desk. The following stretches may help relieve upper back pain.

Prolonged periods of sitting — done often in today’s office environment — are associated with bad posture, poor circulation, and neck strain.

However, you can take steps to prevent potential problems from occurring. Periodic stretching of the arms and upper back muscles, including the rhomboids and trapezius (or “traps”), can be easily incorporated into your daily work regimen.

The key is to find a few easy exercises that you’re comfortable doing at your desk, and then stick with them.

Here are four simple upper back muscle stretches that can be done just about anywhere you find yourself seated — in the office, on an airplane, or even at the kitchen table. Try doing these a couple of times per day.

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  1. Begin by sitting upright, relaxing your shoulders, and placing your hands on your lap. Carefully lean your right ear over your right shoulder.
  2. Slowly move your chin down and let it drop toward your chest while keeping your back straight.
  3. Bring your head up until your left ear is over your left shoulder. Gently roll your head back and around to your right shoulder once more.
  4. Even out the rhythm, keep your breathing calm and smooth, and repeat 5 to 10 times in each direction.
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Think of these as something akin to pushups for your shoulders.

  1. With your feet flat on the ground, straighten your back and allow your arms to hang down at your sides.
  2. Inhale and hold your breath while bringing your shoulders straight up as high as possible, then squeeze them tight for about 2 seconds.
  3. Breathe out and just let your arms drop back down. Do about 8 to 10 shrugs per set.

For a bit more of a challenge, consider adding some lightweight dumbbells to the mix.

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  1. This one starts out like a shoulder shrug. But after pulling your shoulders up to your ears, move them back and down in a circle.
  2. Repeat the same movement in the forward direction as well. Doing 5 rolls both toward the back and front should do the trick.
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This stretch makes a nice compliment to neck rolls and helps to strengthen the rhomboid and pectoral muscles.

  1. Sit up straight and touch your fingertips to your shoulders with your elbows pointed out to the side.
  2. Keeping your fingers in place, exhale and slowly pull your elbows together in front of you until they touch.
  3. Breathe in and allow your arms to move to their original position.

Want to keep moving?

Check out this article for 19 additional exercises to alleviate upper back pain, neck pain, and more.

Back pain is extremely common in today’s work environment. However, there are steps you can take to help relieve some of that tension and pain.

These exercises can help lingering back pain, but always talk to your doctor if the pain doesn’t go away.