Whether your shoulders are naggingly achy or you want to prevent that from happening, try these essential stretches for upper back pain.

Use your left hand to pull on your right upper arm to cross your body further. Keep your right arm straight as you feel a stretch in your right shoulder and upper bicep. Then switch sides.

cross-arm stretches, etc. You might also want to do some head circles and shrugs, too, to activate the smaller muscles around your neck and shoulders.