If you answered “yes” to any of these questions you can join
the other 80% or so of people who will experience those symptoms at some point.
There are a myriad of lifestyle issues that can cause
shoulder dysfunction:
- Constantly carrying items (bags, brief cases, babies) on or in front of your shoulders
- Sedentary jobs
- Improper training, exercise and rehab techniques
- Excessively repetitive and/or unilateral motion (throwing and swinging sports)
- Awkward sleeping positions
In addition to those issues, the shoulder is a complex
series of joints that requires a unique combination of mobility and stability in
order for you to move efficiently. The
clavicle (collar bone), glenohumeral joint (ball and socket), scapula (shoulder
blades), thoracic spine (mid/upper back) among other things all combine to help
you move efficiently both in and out of the gym. If even one of those systems is a little off,
your shoulders will let you know.
Because of this complex setup, many shoulder problems are actually
coordination issues, not issues with the structures themselves. Getting the brain to send many messages to
many joints simultaneously and efficiently requires much coordination. Because of this, we need to train the
neuro-muscular control of the area as well as the strength and mobility of the
area.
There are many ways we go about addressing this at the TR,
but one of our cooler looking, more fun methods are Indian clubs. Indian clubs force the shoulders to move in
all possible directions while simultaneously improving coordination. Most first time users don’t realize how
uncoordinated they are in their shoulder complex until they try them out!
But the take home message is that whatever the shoulder
issue is (tissue restriction or motor control) using Indian clubs will address
it.
Check out TR super member Leigh, demonstrating one of her
warm-ups with the clubs in this video:
