Pain (Left Side of Body)

[Mike]

I'm starting to experience discomfort and loss of ROM in my left shoulder and the left side of my lower back. The pain in my shoulder is originating from the medial deltoid and it rounds around, down my bicep into the forearm. The pain in my back also rounds around my hip into my left thigh and groin area. Both pains have been noticeable for a month or so and despite my stretching and yoga efforts, they seem to keep persisting. I'm gonna consider taking some time off from the bruiser to rest my shoulder and back, but my chiropractor is unsure as to what is causing the discomfort.

One thing I found disturbing through all of this is my inflexibility in my shoulders, back and legs. Through neglect I've seem to become somewhat 'musclebound.' :shock: I can barely touch my hands behind my back!!!

Besides Yoga and stretching (which don't seem to be working for me), is there any other type of treatment I should seek out that may prove more effective.

[Scott Sonnon]

Mike,

What was your training cycle like this month? What traumatic event (even if 'only' poor form, such as beginning practice) immediately preceded the tension and pain?

[Mike]

Mike,

What was your training cycle like this month? What traumatic event (even if 'only' poor form, such as beginning practice) immediately preceded the tension and pain?

I was just doing a 3 days per week split using the Bruiser exclusively. A couple of times I HAVE lost my balance while holding the bruiser in the left-guard position and was forced to muscle it back into position. A few times I've felt a slight 'twinge' in my back when swinging the club to the left. I'm definitely much more coordinated with my right side than my left.

That, and my job does involve me lifitng furniture and appliances all day. Sometimes, if I'm carrying something heavy with a co-worker, he'll let go of it without warning me so for a split second, I have the entire load! I think this MAY have contributed to my current state.

[Scott Sonnon]

I was just doing a 3 days per week split using the Bruiser exclusively. A couple of times I HAVE lost my balance while holding the bruiser in the left-guard position and was forced to muscle it back into position. A few times I've felt a slight 'twinge' in my back when swinging the club to the left.
That, and my job does involve me lifitng furniture and appliances all day. Sometimes, if I'm carrying something heavy with a co-worker, he'll let go of it without warning me so for a split second, I have the entire load! I think this MAY have contributed to my current state.
Mike,
It reads as if the prior poor form predisposed you to a more serious tweak during the latter event. It's a rather common situation. If you're serious about resolving the situation, end your current cycle now (before it becomes something serious.) Start an active recovery cycle focusing upon the area with dynamic stretching and dynamic mobility, such as in Lum-barred from Pain-Free Mobility (http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/24/sonnon.html). Also review Recovery Training (http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/24/sonnon.html). You're health, strength and performance will thank you for it.

[Mike]

Thank you kindly Scott! I was thinking about using Warrior Wellness during my next cycle!

[Scott Sonnon]

Mike,

You should perform a Warrior Wellness session daily regardless of cycle content. It may have prevented the issue, or resolved it immediately.

[Mike]

Mike,

You should perform a Warrior Wellness™ session daily regardless of cycle content. It may have prevented the issue, or resolved it immediately.

It doens't require me to have the agility of a cat does it?

[JasonE]

Mike -

Get Warrior Wellness. Do Warrior Wellness.

It's done me a TON of good over the last few months. For one, I've been able to stop seeing my chiropractor and my massage therapist. I've been able to train regularly and fairly hard without recurring pain or stiffness. Best of all, when I tweaked my back last month in play rehearsals, I got rid of it in 2 days instead of 2 weeks. 8)

Now I do Warrior Wellness pretty much every day. If I have time to do it before a CST session, my performance that session is always better and easier than if I don't. I also use Warrior Wellness as a cooldown after a few hours of Mixed Martial Arts training, and I don't get the DOMS that I used to. :D

Now, I DON'T have the agility of a cat. Never have. I actually think that the LESS agile and limber you are, the MORE you will benefit. (Possibly being one reason I'm benefiting so much. :wink: )

With your job requiring repetitively high levels of muscle tension (carrying heavy objects), I think that the tension-relieving aspects of regular Warrior Wellness practice would be ideal whether you were working with Clubbells or not.

Get the tapes (or at least Tape 1) and work with it for at least 2 weeks. If you don't notice a significant improvement in that time, I'll buy your tape(s) from you and put it in the hands of someone else who needs the benefits. :P

[Dan Chomycia]

Mike,

Warrior Wellness is the staple for for your training, it is an incrementally challenging Series of Joint-Mobility exercises. It will help build-up and repair your foundation. It will help you continue your training and work better than before. It is so much of a staple that many of us are probably assuming you were doing it already.

See you training again soon!