Upper Body Health Check

Frozen shoulder, rotator cuff discomfort, chest muscle tightness, upper back and neck pain are some of the grumbles I have heard among many clients. While these grievances aren’t always a major concern, they are something to stay aware of throughout an exercise routine. Entering a fitness studio for the first time with a group of strangers or new exercise machines you do not know how to use can be intimidating, especially if you’re experiencing muscle discomfort and/or are unable to perform a certain movement. Performing an exercise to keep up with a group class without knowledge of form is certainly not the best way to heal any injury, rather working privately with a fitness professional whose experienced with muscular imbalances and deficiencies beforehand is a better option.

When mind and body are not linked, the repeated misaligned exercise performed can lead to movement compensation and postural problems that can turn into a lifetime of muscular deficiency. Most muscle imbalances directly coincide with joint alignment. Proper length-tension (good posture) allows for proper joint alignment, hence the importance of proper form.

So what do you do if working with a private fitness professional isn’t in your budget? You can start by keeping yourself informed on the proper alignment and practicing these stretches for your shoulders, arms, upper back, neck and chest at home. As you perform the following stretches get a feel of how your shoulders move in relation with your neck, upper back, and chest muscles.

Stretches wrists, shoulders, chest and hamstrings