08/28/2025
As a massage therapist, Iโve started to notice a pattern with a lot of my clients. They're coming in with the same types of complaints: shoulder tension, neck pain, and lower back issues. ๐ค At first, I thought it might just be a coincidence, but after looking a little deeper, I realized there could be something more going on.
What Iโm seeing might actually be connected to a bigger issue: weak or tight legs.
Thereโs even research to back this up. A study in the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that people dealing with knee pain and weakness often show movement patterns that put extra strain on the lower back and shoulders.
It makes sense when you think about how everything in the body is connected. When our legs arenโt doing their job, whether itโs due to weakness or tightness, it can throw off the whole chain, creating tension higher up in the body.
The good news is that strengthening and stretching the legs can really help relieve that upper body discomfort. Simple exercises like squats and lunges, along with some targeted stretching, can go a long way in improving overall balance and reducing pain.
Personally, Iโve seen big improvements in clients just by focusing on leg strength and flexibility. So if you're dealing with ongoing shoulder, neck, or lower back pain, it might be worth taking a closer look at whatโs going on in your legs. ๐งโโ๏ธ
To get started, here are some great hip-opening yoga poses that can help release stiffness and tension:
1. Pigeon Pose
2. Downward-Facing Dog
3. Cobra Pose
4. Lizard Pose
5. Seated Pigeon Pose
6. Goddess Pose
7. Triangle Pose
8. Reclined Pigeon Pose
Give me a call at 850-509-2311 if you'd like to come in to the office and try to get to the root of that pain!
