Dealing With Shoulder Pain

To all those with shoulder-pain and shoulder immobility:

I feel your pain. Literally.

I've dealt with my own shoulder issues for the last few years.

In short: Flexibility is the key to air power (to borrow an Air Force saying).

You must stretch and strengthen the entire shoulder girdle, as well as the areas around the shoulder, such as the trap, neck, and thoracic spine regions.

Why? Because most pain stems from tightness, weakness, and/or things being out of place. These may be habitual, learned movement patterns, or, an acute condition because of an injury.

Either way, the approach to healing is similar.

I suggest seeing a chiropractor who knows his stuff, since shoulder function is directly linked to thoracic mobility.

If you aren't rolling out, start. It may be excruciatingly painful at first...that's usually a sign you are doing it right :)

Most people have forward head posture, which causes their shoulders to shrug up, making them chronically tight. Check your posture.

Stretch your lats, shoulders, neck, traps on a regular basis. Shoot for 3-5 minutes per hold, which will start the corrective stretch momentum.

Do it daily.

Start becoming mindful of your posture and bodily position.

It'll be easier to move around, and easier to maintain good posture whether you are laying, sitting, standing, walking, running, lifting, etc, when you are loose enough that your body isn't resisting itself.

Keep at it, and watch the progress unfold!

There is way more to talk about on this issue - but that's all for now.

Strength and Honor,

JG