Chronic Shoulder and Neck Stiffness: Approximately 72% Report Symptoms Lasting "Over 3 Years." What Were the "Effective" Countermeasures Attempted?
According to a joint survey by NEXER Inc. and Curere Inc., approximately 72% of people suffering from chronic shoulder and neck stiffness reported that their symptoms have lasted for over 3 years. Prolonged periods in the same posture, desk work, and smartphone use are cited as the main causes.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 00:00
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■Survey on the Causes and Countermeasures for Shoulder and Neck Stiffness
Desk work, smartphones, maintaining the same posture for long periods.
Shoulder and neck stiffness has become a familiar concern for many people.
While it's painful if left untreated, many may be unsure how to deal with it. So, what causes people to experience symptoms, and what methods have they tried?
This time, in collaboration with Curere Inc., we conducted a survey on "Causes and Countermeasures for Shoulder and Neck Stiffness" targeting 220 men and women nationwide who had previously responded that they experience "chronic shoulder and neck stiffness."
*When quoting the content of this press release, please adhere to the following:
- Clearly state that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Curere Inc."
- Provide a link to Curere Inc. (https://curere.jp/)
- Provide a link to the relevant article (https://curere.jp/blog/news/media20260501/)
"Survey on Causes and Countermeasures for Shoulder and Neck Stiffness" Overview
Survey method: Online questionnaire
Survey period: April 10, 2026 - April 14, 2026
Target respondents: Men and women nationwide with chronic shoulder and neck stiffness
Valid responses: 220 samples
Questions:
Question 1: How long have your shoulder and neck stiffness symptoms lasted?
Question 2: Are there specific times or situations when your symptoms worsen? (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 3: What do you particularly suspect as the cause of your shoulder and neck stiffness?
Question 4: Please tell us your reason.
Question 5: What countermeasures have you tried so far? (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 6: Among the countermeasures you tried, which ones were effective? (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 7: Conversely, which ones did you feel were not very effective? (Multiple answers allowed)
*As a rule, numbers are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.
■72.3% of respondents have suffered from shoulder and neck stiffness for "3 years or more."
First, we asked those with chronic shoulder and neck stiffness how long their symptoms had persisted.
The most common response was "3 years or more" at 72.3%.
This was followed by "1 year to less than 3 years" at 15.0%, and "6 months to less than 1 year" at 5.9%.
It was found that over 70% of respondents have continued to experience symptoms for a long period exceeding 3 years.
Furthermore, including those with symptoms for over 1 year, approximately 87% have been dealing with shoulder and neck stiffness over the medium to long term, revealing a chronic reality.
■51.8% responded that symptoms worsen "when maintaining the same posture for a long time."
Next, we asked about specific times or situations when symptoms particularly worsen.
The most common response was "when maintaining the same posture for a long time" at 51.8%, followed by "after using smartphones or computers" at 45.9%.
It is understood that maintaining the same posture and using smartphones or computers are perceived as factors that intensify the discomfort of stiffness. Also, 24.1% reported "when waking up in the morning," suggesting the possibility that sleeping posture or bedding conditions may also be influential.
■25.9% cited "desk work" as the cause of shoulder and neck stiffness.
Next, we asked what respondents particularly suspected as the cause of their shoulder and neck stiffness.
The most common response was "desk work" at 25.9%.
This was followed by "poor posture" at 19.1%, and "smartphone use" at 13.2%.
The top three combined account for approximately 60% of the total, indicating a close connection between modern work styles and lifestyles and stiffness.
We asked for reasons behind each response, and some are introduced below.
**Those who responded "desk work"**:
- My neck and shoulders inevitably stiffen because I spend long hours working on the computer. (30s, Male)
- I do about 15 hours of desk work every day, so if I had to guess the cause, I'd say desk work. (40s, Male)
- It's because I maintain the same posture for long hours due to desk work. (50s, Female)
**Those who responded "poor posture"**:
- I think poor posture leads to shoulder and neck stiffness. (30s, Female)
- Muscles gradually weaken, and everyone's posture worsens with age. (40s, Female)
- I have a hunchback and rounded shoulders, so my posture is very bad. (50s, Female)
**Those who responded "smartphone use"**:
- Maintaining the same posture while gaming. (40s, Male)
- I often feel stiffness after using it a lot. (40s, Female)
- I think it stiffens because I strain my eyes constantly in the same posture, leading to poor blood circulation. (50s, Female)
Many people are aware that their own posture and lifestyle habits are the cause, with "maintaining the same posture for long periods" being particularly prominent.
Desk work, smartphones, maintaining the same posture for long periods.
Shoulder and neck stiffness has become a familiar concern for many people.
While it's painful if left untreated, many may be unsure how to deal with it. So, what causes people to experience symptoms, and what methods have they tried?
This time, in collaboration with Curere Inc., we conducted a survey on "Causes and Countermeasures for Shoulder and Neck Stiffness" targeting 220 men and women nationwide who had previously responded that they experience "chronic shoulder and neck stiffness."
*When quoting the content of this press release, please adhere to the following:
- Clearly state that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Curere Inc."
- Provide a link to Curere Inc. (https://curere.jp/)
- Provide a link to the relevant article (https://curere.jp/blog/news/media20260501/)
"Survey on Causes and Countermeasures for Shoulder and Neck Stiffness" Overview
Survey method: Online questionnaire
Survey period: April 10, 2026 - April 14, 2026
Target respondents: Men and women nationwide with chronic shoulder and neck stiffness
Valid responses: 220 samples
Questions:
Question 1: How long have your shoulder and neck stiffness symptoms lasted?
Question 2: Are there specific times or situations when your symptoms worsen? (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 3: What do you particularly suspect as the cause of your shoulder and neck stiffness?
Question 4: Please tell us your reason.
Question 5: What countermeasures have you tried so far? (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 6: Among the countermeasures you tried, which ones were effective? (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 7: Conversely, which ones did you feel were not very effective? (Multiple answers allowed)
*As a rule, numbers are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.
■72.3% of respondents have suffered from shoulder and neck stiffness for "3 years or more."
First, we asked those with chronic shoulder and neck stiffness how long their symptoms had persisted.
The most common response was "3 years or more" at 72.3%.
This was followed by "1 year to less than 3 years" at 15.0%, and "6 months to less than 1 year" at 5.9%.
It was found that over 70% of respondents have continued to experience symptoms for a long period exceeding 3 years.
Furthermore, including those with symptoms for over 1 year, approximately 87% have been dealing with shoulder and neck stiffness over the medium to long term, revealing a chronic reality.
■51.8% responded that symptoms worsen "when maintaining the same posture for a long time."
Next, we asked about specific times or situations when symptoms particularly worsen.
The most common response was "when maintaining the same posture for a long time" at 51.8%, followed by "after using smartphones or computers" at 45.9%.
It is understood that maintaining the same posture and using smartphones or computers are perceived as factors that intensify the discomfort of stiffness. Also, 24.1% reported "when waking up in the morning," suggesting the possibility that sleeping posture or bedding conditions may also be influential.
■25.9% cited "desk work" as the cause of shoulder and neck stiffness.
Next, we asked what respondents particularly suspected as the cause of their shoulder and neck stiffness.
The most common response was "desk work" at 25.9%.
This was followed by "poor posture" at 19.1%, and "smartphone use" at 13.2%.
The top three combined account for approximately 60% of the total, indicating a close connection between modern work styles and lifestyles and stiffness.
We asked for reasons behind each response, and some are introduced below.
**Those who responded "desk work"**:
- My neck and shoulders inevitably stiffen because I spend long hours working on the computer. (30s, Male)
- I do about 15 hours of desk work every day, so if I had to guess the cause, I'd say desk work. (40s, Male)
- It's because I maintain the same posture for long hours due to desk work. (50s, Female)
**Those who responded "poor posture"**:
- I think poor posture leads to shoulder and neck stiffness. (30s, Female)
- Muscles gradually weaken, and everyone's posture worsens with age. (40s, Female)
- I have a hunchback and rounded shoulders, so my posture is very bad. (50s, Female)
**Those who responded "smartphone use"**:
- Maintaining the same posture while gaming. (40s, Male)
- I often feel stiffness after using it a lot. (40s, Female)
- I think it stiffens because I strain my eyes constantly in the same posture, leading to poor blood circulation. (50s, Female)
Many people are aware that their own posture and lifestyle habits are the cause, with "maintaining the same posture for long periods" being particularly prominent.