Why My Shoulders Might Have Started Hurting
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking of why I developed shoulder issues. I remember as a teenager my right shoulder hurting during tennis practice one day. My left just started out of the blue. And with exercise, they seemed to get worse.
Having gone through 3 months of PT, lots of research, suggestions of friends, I think I my have some answers on hand, and some ways to help you (and others) possibly avoid the same fate I’ve had with them.
1. Inflammation – Inflammation is the body’s response to something not being right. Chronic inflammation is linked to many, many things. Too many sugars, trans fats, poor eating in general, etc. But I’m also reading about how a high Omega 6:3 ratio may also lead to inflammation lasting longer than it should. My main goal is over the next little bit to focus on getting more Omega 3 in my diet, including supplementation.
2. Grains – Back to the inflammation thing: Someone suggested some time ago that I may have a gluten sensitivity. And they could be right. I guess we’ll know over the next few weeks with my Primal eating if that has anything to do with it.
3. Posture – I’m a computer geek by profession. I sit a large amount of my days in front of the computer programming, problem solving, etc. By doing this, my shoulders are usually a bit more locked forward. After working with my physical therapist, I’m learning to rethink and pay attention to my posture while at work, at home, etc. In particular, how are my shoulders aligned? Are they forward or back? The forward reaching of the arms to the keyboard may have played a large part in the inflammation.
4. Posture (in exercise) – In doing Yoga the other day, I was paying attention to what hurt with my shoulders and what did not. In the vinyasas, I’d notice that my left sometimes hurt, sometimes did not. I think my form and posture within that form may have been the difference between discomfort and ease.
Further, I’ve seen some videos of me doing push-ups. I actually cringed when I watched it as I recognized my form was not good….at all! So as I go through rehab, I’m paying closer attention to my form. I remember watching a Crossfit video about proper form in the bench press and they talked about how your shoulders should be. I think I may be doing the same wrong form on push-ups, so room for improvement there.
With all of this, my goals:
1. Omega 3 is a must. I’ll be ordering from Beachbody very soon (yes, they have an Omega 3 supplement).
2. No grains – Primal Blueprint. On track for this one.
3. Be aware of my posture at work, at home, etc. See how shoulders are set. Make sure I am not slumping forward.
4. Pay attention to form in moves that torque the shoulder.
That’s all for this week.
Any questions about P90X or Primal Eating? Comment below!
