Tight upper traps can leave your shoulders looking raised and your neck looking short or crowded.
In this follow-along neck and shoulder gua sha routine, we’ll work through three precise paths around the side and back of the neck, the levator scapulae line, and the upper trapezius. ✨Do one side first, then compare: Your resting shoulder height The space between your ear and shoulder How open your neck and shoulder line looks How comfortably you can turn your head
✨The three gua sha paths: 1.SCM + upper trapezius — behind the ear to the shoulder 2.Levator scapulae — below the hairline to the upper shoulder blade 3.Upper trapezius — from the base of the neck onto the upper back
For a 7-day check-in, follow this gentle routine once a day and use the same camera angle, lighting and posture when comparing your shoulder line. Skip a day if the skin remains tender or marked.
✨This video is for general wellness and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Appearance and sensation changes can be temporary and vary between individuals. Consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have an injury, ongoing neck symptoms, a bleeding condition or take blood-thinning medication.
One side is done. The shoulder is lower and the neck looks longer.
Tight upper traps and
surrounding neck muscles can pull the shoulder upward,
making the neck appear shorter. Let's
release that tension.
Set the tool just behind the ear, glide along the soft back side of the
neck toward the shoulder, then lift off.
Keep the tool nearly flat, use light pressure, and stay
away from the throat.
This route passes beside the SCM into the upper trap area.
Easing tension here
Working here can make neck movement feel freer
and soften the pulled up feeling around
the shoulder.
Start
below
the
hairline,
slightly
beside
the
spine.
Glide diagonally toward the upper inner shoulder blade.
Lift the tool, return, and repeat.
The levator scapulae links the upper neck
to the shoulder blade and helps lift it.
Easing this line can
reduce the pulled up,
tight shoulder feeling.
Comes a little soon, I'll keep
Place the broad edge beside the base of your neck.
Make short, slow downward glides onto the upper back.
The upper trapezius helps elevate and stabilize the shoulder blade.
Working gently over this area can ease tightness
and help the shoulder rest more naturally.
Repeat
the
same
paths
on the
other
side.
See you next time!
