In today’s day and age, we are all running a race against time. Whether you are working full time or are a homemaker or a student, your days seem full, and stress is an inevitable part of your life. With stress come its share of physical aches and pains. While we shrug most of it off and continue with our lives, these aches and pains are warning signals that should not be ignored.

Some of the most common issues faced due to stressful lives are shoulder pain, back pain, and lower back pain. Our shoulders and back bear the brunt of our daily hectic life, which includes traveling, carrying heavy loads, sitting and standing for long durations, among others. Ignoring joint pains for too long can be harmful as you may be suffering from arthritis and you may not even realize it. Before the problem gets too serious, you should take corrective action.

Yoga is amongst the most commonly used methods to treat shoulder pain caused due to a hectic lifestyle. Shoulder rehabilitation exercises, if done regularly under the guidance of an expert, can actually relieve both shoulder pain and back pain. Yoga can help to reduce inflammation, improve balance, improve your body’s flexibility, and also help in building up strength.

Following are a few shoulder rehabilitation exercises that can be done easily to help relieve from pain.

• Rolling your shoulders
  This is one of the easiest and simplest exercises to start off with. To do this, sit comfortably in a pose that allows your arms to hang at your sides. Roll your shoulders up and forward while inhaling deeply. Then roll your shoulders down and back while exhaling.
• Rolling your neck
  For this, sit in a comfortable position. Lower your chin and bring it towards your chest and then exhale. When you are inhaling, move your left ear toward your left shoulder. Hold that position for the duration of one breath. Then, slowly, exhale and bring your chin back to its original position. Repeat the same process for the right side.
• Bringing your arms across your chest
  For this, sit in a comfortable position. Move your right arm in a straight position to the height of your shoulder. Ensure that your palm faces the forward direction. Sit straight and move the arm across your chest. You can put your left arm below it to support it. Then, slowly turn to the right and breathe five times. Repeat the same with the left arm.
• Bringing your hand to your elbow
  For this, sit in an upright position. Lift your left arm above your head. Bend it at the elbow and try to touch your palm to your shoulder blades’ center. Ensure that your shoulders are relaxed. Now, move your right hand and place it on your left hand. Hold this pose for 10 deep breaths. Repeat on the other side.
• Clasp your hands behind your back
  For this, stand upright in a comfortable position and inhale deeply. When you exhale, clasp your hands behind your back. If you find this pose uncomfortable, you can also try placing both hands over the small of your back separately. Stay in this position for a few seconds and then release.

To conclude, the key to yoga shoulder rehabilitation exercises is that they need to be done regularly and diligently. Your body is your best teacher. If you feel a sharp pain when you are attempting a particular pose, then do not go any further. It is best to seek guidance from a certified expert when attempting these yoga poses. If done regularly and properly, they can help relieve shoulder and back pain, enabling you to live an active and pain-free life. There are various other yoga poses for those suffering from fibromyalgia.