The trapezius muscle is divided into 3 parts – upper, middle and lower. By far, it is the upper trapezius region that experiences the highest degree of increased tension of the three. It’s the area that almost everyone has tightness in when you poke your thumbs into the back of their neck & shoulders.

There are a number of causative factors, but muscle imbalances and poor posture (such as sitting at a computer for long periods) have all been shown to contribute to upper trapezius tension. Proper assessment of these postures and muscle imbalances by a health professional is highly recommended to avoid prolonged issues or flow-on effects to other areas in the body.

Using the spiky ball as shown in the video above can help to give relief of upper trapezius tightness, and may help to keep painful symptoms at bay until a longer term solution can be found if necessary.