Three stretches to do if you wake up with a sore neck and shoulders, according to a physical therapist

A woman sits on the edge of her bed holding a glass of water in one hand with her other hand resting on the back of her neck. .

Soreness in the neck and shoulders is a common problem, and you may find yourself noticing it most when you wake up. Often this is due to sleeping in an odd position, improper mattress support or disrupted sleep. If it happens frequently, troubleshoot your sleep setup to see if there is an obvious cause and consider incorporating a stretching routine into your morning.

"Movement helps to keep our joints lubricated and our muscles flexible," says physical therapist Susan Winograd, owner of Pelvicore Rehab & Wellness. "If you find yourself waking up achy, get moving—movement is the best medicine!"