Every job and sport loads the neck and shoulder in its own way. Overhead work and throwing load the rotator cuff, while long hours of driving or screen work load the neck and upper back. Each page below names the structures that activity loads, the problems that tend to follow and how to keep going while they settle.
Work and repetitive strain
- RSI in the neck and shoulders: how repeated, sustained load builds up in muscles and tendons.
- Shoulder pain from repetitive overhead work: the rotator cuff and the space beneath the shoulder blade.
- Nurses and caregivers: the upper back, shoulders and neck when lifting and turning people.
- Driving for work: the neck and upper back held still for hours, with the arms forward.
- Lifting young children: the shoulders, upper back and neck with frequent lifting and carrying on one side.
- Hairdressers and barbers: the neck looking down and the shoulders held raised for long periods.
- Musicians: the neck and shoulders held in one position while the arms make small, repeated movements.
- Dentists and dental hygienists: the head bent and turned toward the patient, with the arms raised, for most of the day.
Sport
- Swimmer’s shoulder: the rotator cuff and biceps tendon through thousands of overhead strokes.
- Bench press and overhead lifts: the AC joint, rotator cuff and front of the shoulder under heavy load.
- CrossFit and Hyrox: the shoulder and neck under high-repetition, timed work.
- Tennis and racquet sports: the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles on the serve and overhead.
- Golf: rotation through the neck, upper back and lead shoulder.
- Volleyball: the rotator cuff and the nerve to the back of the shoulder blade when spiking and serving.
- Throwing sports: the labrum and rotator cuff at high arm speed.
- Climbing: the labrum, rotator cuff and biceps tendon when hanging and pulling.
- Yoga: the neck in inversions and the shoulders when bearing weight through the arms.
- Cycling: the neck held extended and the shoulders bearing weight on the bars.
- BJJ and grappling: the neck and shoulder under twisting force and joint locks.
- Boxing and martial arts: the shoulder through fast, repeated punches and the neck through holding a guard and taking blows.
- Rowing, kayaking and paddleboarding: the shoulders, upper back and ribs through thousands of repeated strokes.
Look at how much, how often and how you load before you decide to stop the activity altogether.