Recovering ROM

[Jhurley]

Coach,
I've finally made it to the point where I'm doing warrior wellness at least once a day in the morning and sometomes for active recovery also.I've found in doing the top circle with my left arm I have a glaring loss of ROM.I've had no injuries to the shoulder that I'm aware of but particulary when I do the circle outwards it's like I hit a bump in the road and my arm jumps that spot and then when it passes that point goes back into it's normal pattern.How can I remove that blocking point?

John

[Scott Sonnon]

John,
The following only goes by what you have written. Sensory Motor Amnesia is not something that happens without precedent. Some type of training, trauma, injury, surgery or anxiety/anger can create a pattern of resistance armoring the area. The trick is that more often than not the site of the tension is not the source of the condition. This is why daily, head-to-toe dynamic range of motion exercise such as Warrior Wellness is so critical to our health and performance.

Also, the nervous system adapts to the challenges imposed upon it - that includes the challenge of immobility. The organism adapts to one's lack of motion, by 'forgetting' (inaccurate term here, but communicates the point) that range of motion. In other words, if you don't move it, you lose it. This is the source of most conditions of inflexibility.

That 'chink' in your movement, like when a bicycle chain jumps a link is a neuromuscular blind-spot, which you can reawaken by consistent, daily Warrior Wellness practice

A good approach to your local issue is to slowly and smoothly work back and forth over the blind-spot in the top circle several times. Then switch to the Arm-Screw several times. Then return again to the local area like before. Then switch to the Butter-churn. Then return to the local area, and so forth. Each time, exhale deeper and allow yourself to relax. Avoid frustration - it's your only opponent. Practice patience and diligence - they're your shield and sword.

[rbibbs]

(Coach was writing the definitive response at the same time I was writing a preliminary one John, so I've edited mine accordingly, sorry for the confusion.)

Use WW as a tool of discovery as well as motion. What you feel doing it is at least as important as the motions you produce. Does the "jump" happen on outward-in motions, inward-out, both? No discomfort involved? You have a working example for comparison, the other arm. Anywhere in the motion you "can't feel it"? That would be a sensory dead-spot to work on recovering. Or is it a weak spot in muscle recruitment, or residual tension? You can feel these things with slow exploratory movements.

And as Coach followed up to my earlier post, the more details you discover about your motion, the more specific his recommendations can be, and WW can be a tool for your own analysis too.

Rick

[Jhurley]

Scott,
Thank you for the advice.That's an interesting point you brought up about the spot of discomfort not being the origin of the problem.I never did have surgery on my shoulder although I have whacked it from time to time taking falls skiing and playing hocley.Also I've had knee surgery but can't recall wether it was my right or left knee.

Thanx
John

[Scott Sonnon]

Follow Rick's line of questioning, and perhaps we can discover the root of the condition.

[Jhurley]

Coach and Rick,
I'll be as specific as I can now and be even more detailed after my next session.The right arm/shoulder experiences no glitches or discomfort.The left has pain only at the glitch spot which happens in the outward circle motion as the arm moves about 3 ur 4 inches past being parallel with the sgoulder as I bring it back.

[rbibbs]

Gotcha John, didn't know there was pain involved. Preliminary, don't try to bulldoze through that sore spot. Go under it, around it, anywhere you can put that arm that does NOT hurt.

This description of troublesome spots in shoulder motion is pretty common. The underlying cause isn't always the same. There could be a structural problem (torn rotator, or...) or a nerve impairment. Preliminarily again, do the neck and shoulder WW routines several times a day.

And I suggest following this string, it covers some of these same issues.
http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=354

Rick

[Scott Sonnon]

Follow Rick's suggestions, you neglected to mention that it was painful, and you previously said there was no injury in the area. My suggestions were based upon that prior knowledge.

[Jhurley]

Coach,
I guess I must have injured it somehow.What I meant was no injury that I was aware of.Meaning I had no surgery,didn't have to see a docyor,and never had to stop training or engaging in the sports I participate in.I realize that doesn't mean I didn't incur an injury bit I was taught and coached growing up that if you can play you're not hurt.I'll do what you advise and let you know how it goes.

John

[Scott Sonnon]

The worst type of injury is the unacknowledged one. Keep us advised of your progress, and get your physician to take a look at it before proceeding.

[Jhurley]

Thanks Scott.I'll let you know how it goes.