The Shoulder Shrug

The shoulder shrug is a simple movement where you lift your shoulders upward toward your ears, engaging the muscles called the trapezius. It’s often used to assess or strengthen shoulder and neck muscles, improve posture, or relieve tension. To perform a shoulder shrug, stand or sit upright, then raise your shoulders as high as comfortable, hold briefly, and then lower them back down. This exercise helps increase shoulder stability, reduce muscle tightness, and improve overall upper body mobility. It’s commonly used in physical therapy, exercise routines, and as a quick way to alleviate shoulder or neck tension.