Whether you do yoga, calisthenics, lift weights or even just sit at a desk all day, shoulder pain is no stranger to us in general.
We’ve all experienced it at some point, whether in passing during some hard work or training, or chronic nagging or aching which just doesn’t ever seem to go away. Some experiences perhaps may not last for a long time, but if we pay more attention to our body and how it feels, we will see that there is always some level of tension or dysfunction even if minute.
Where do we even start when trying to figure it all out?
👆Well the first thing we have to understand in order to assess and interpret the causes of shoulder pain and dysfunction is to understand the anatomical structure.
What we consider ‘the shoulder’ actually varies quite widely person to person, but technically it consists of three main joints –
- 📌 the scapula (gliding),
- 📌 the acromioclavicular (gliding) and
- 📌 the gleno-humeral (ball and socket).
These joints have an intense network of nerves, connective tissues, bones and fascia, surrounding and penetrating each joint.
When one or some of the muscles and tendons originating in these joints gets overworked or overactive, tension can get stuck locally in the tissue and nervous system.
This imbalance of tension causes the joint to move within it’s capsule, shifting the position of the body with it. The muscles which could usually antagonise this tension have become underactive and not engaged as well, also due to the receding neurological connection that happens as a result of not using those tissues.
As a result this puts the joint in a dysfunctional position biomechanically for certain directions of movement.
For instance…
1. The Biceps Femoris and Pectoralis Minor both attach to the corocoid process in the shoulder girdle.
When these muscles and their tendons become overactive, they can pull the shoulder joints forward and down, redistributing the weight of the arm and causing a ripple of adjustments down the entire body in order to compensate for the new weight shift.
2. When the Trapezius is overactive it causes the scapula to rise up into the new default position of being elevated.
What this imbalance actually does is steal the efficiency of our original biomechanical design.
It stops us from being able to use our bodies the way they can be used, or in other words, reduces our abilities and potential.
The term biotensegrity is often used to describe the carefully tuned strings of tension which support our framework and keep our movements efficient. When these strings of tension are not in balance, the entire structure can become damaged or even collapse entirely, depending on what forces are going into it and for how long.
So how and why does this cause dysfunction, pain or discomfort?
Our body is a machine which needs daily maintenance and oiling.
It’s important to assess your body internally, and also to seek professional assessment if the symptoms are causing you difficulties.
Therapy includes customised and specific myofascial and trigger point release, stretching and mobility drills. ‘Greasing the groove’ is an important phrase used by therapists to refer to joint gliding and other mobility based movements.
I’m really excited to have teamed up with Movement Athlete because we will soon be launching our new course “Bulletproof Shoulders” which will walk you through step by step how to finally get some relief;
- 👉 Assess your shoulder joints for health and document your progress
- 👉 Follow a robust and detailed programme, module by module
- 👉 Learn the principles behind how to take care and maintain your own biomechanics and joint health
- 👉 Self-rehabilitate joint dysfunction and improve your athletic performance across the board
I have used this system personally to rehabilitate my own dysfunctions from over 28 years of multi-disciplinary training, as well as having massive success using it with plenty of high profile and general public clients.
In the last 5 years I’ve also certificated over 1000 trainers and therapists in my accredited systems to offer this service to their clients and patients.
Keep a look out for our new course launching very soon!
Ricky Warren, Founder of Bodyweight Gurus