Better U: Teacher Knots: Why Teachers Get Neck, Shoulder, and Upper Back Pain (And How to Fix It)
Teacher Knots: Why Teachers Get Neck, Shoulder, and Upper Back Pain (And How to Fix It) If you’re a teacher, chances are you’ve felt it… That deep, nagging tightness in your neck, shoulders, or upper back that never fully goes away. Many people just call them knots, but we call them “teacher knots” and honestly, the name fits. These knots aren’t just random soreness. They’re your body’s response to long days, repetitive movements, stress, and holding tension for hours at a time. What Are “Teacher Knots,” Really? Teacher knots are areas of muscle tightness or trigger points that develop when muscles stay contracted for too long. Over time, blood flow is restricted, oxygen drops, and the muscle fibers essentially get stuck in a tense state. The most common areas: Upper shoulders (trapezius muscles) Neck and base of the skull Upper back between the shoulder blades These areas are heavily involved in posture and head positioning, two things teachers use constantly throughout th...
