Did you know that the way you breathe could be causing shoulder and neck tension? Here's some research from Whole Body Health.
"Deep breathing exercises can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and help in neck pain relief. Breathing exercises can be done lying down, seated or standing (we recommend practicing in the lying position at first). Shallow breathing can lead to neck pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain, headaches, shoulder blade pain, and indigestion/hiatal hernia. Shallow breathing, or breath holding, causes the muscles in the front of the neck, the scalene muscles, to become overworked. This pattern of dysfunctional breathing coupled with poor posture frequently leads to overcompensation in other muscles of the neck and shoulders. The pain pattern for the scalene muscles may be felt in the shoulder and even down the arm to the hand. Chest breathing can cause an increase in blood pressure and decrease the volume of air in the lungs causing the neck muscles to work extra to lift the ribcage (not what they were designed to do)."
Read the whole article here