I am often asked by patients if there is a particular exercise to help improve a rounded shoulders posture. While exercise can help many things, the best thing you can do to correct your posture is to attain and maintian proper sitting posture.
If you visit your physical therapist and he or she evaluates your posture and notes that tightness in your pecotral muscles may be causing problems, stretching for the tight chest muscles may be necessary.
A simple and effective stretch that you can do to help stretch your chest muscles is the towel chest stretch. It is a great exercise, and it can be done anywhere. All you need is a towel or a strap, or you can use your belt if you don't have a towel handy.
Simply raise the towel overhead, and then let the towel come behind your back. Keep your arms straight, and you should feel a pulling sensation in your chest muscles.
Be sure to hold the stretch for 15 to 30 seconds, and perform the stretch 3 times. The towel chest stretch can be performed several times per day, but make sure you talk to your doctor or physical therapist before starting any exercise program.
