Stretch‐induced blood pressure moderation: A potential basis for the sense of well‐being accompanying stretching of upper back and neck muscles

Voluntary stretching of upper back and shoulder muscles is often associated with a sense of well‐being of unknown cause. The goal of this study was to examine the impact of shoulder/upper back stretching on heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) responses in healthy individuals. Twenty‐four healthy individuals underwent continuous beat‐to‐beat HR and BP monitoring during active standing ( AS ) and during shoulder/upper back extension stretching. Measurements were compared using appropriate statistical tests. With AS , HR increased (median 24 bpm) and systolic BP decreased (median − 28 mmHg ). Shoulder/upper back stretching elicited a similar BP drop but a lesser HR increment ( p < 0.001). The HR increase per mmHg BP fall (∆ HR /∆ BP ) was significantly lower during stretch than during AS (0.34 vs. 1.1 beats/min/ mmHg ; p < 0.001). Thus, the HR response with stretch‐induced BP fall averaged only 30.9% of that seen with AS . Shoulder/upper back muscle stretching induces transient BP reduction with only limited compensatory tachycardia compared to hypotension during AS. These findings suggest a neural reflex mechanism possibly initiated by muscle mechanoreceptors, with predominant vasodepression that may contribute to relaxation and a sense of well‐being.