I’ve seen a few shoulder problems rise up in people lately, and I thought I’d post some helpful hints on how to prevent or treat some things that are going on. ?In general we as humans do a ton of pushing activities and not quite as much pulling activities. ?Many of the people I see have spent way too much time on the bench press, and not as much time working the posterior part of the shoulder. ?CrossFitters spend quite a bit more time on the pull up bar which is good, but we still end up with a number of people with their shoulders sitting anteriorly to where they should be. ?This causes people to look like this guy:
This puts their shoulder at a mechanical disadvantages and causes other parts of the joint to try and take up the slack. ?This usually leads to chronic shoulder problems like biceps tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis,
and even lateral and medial epicondolitis in the elbows just to name a few. ?Ideally the shoulders should sit back in the socket and be supported when we are performing movements. ?This puts the shoulder at the correct angles to do what it needs to do.
Compound a forward posture with the fact that many people have a job that causes them to be desk jockeys and they end up with a posture like this:
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Here’s a test for you… lay down flat on your back with hands down by your side. ?Can a person slide any part of their hand behind your shoulder, or does your shoulder rest on the ground like it should be? ?If I could slide my hand under it, then the shoulder is sitting anteriorly. ?This means you need to work on this! ?Here is a great video from Kelly Starrett on things to do to remedy that situation. ?I highly recommend his mobility WODs they are great! ?Check it out! What do you do to keep your shoulders pain free and able to move freely? Post comments below!
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