Forward shoulders, rounded shoulders, shoulder pain

Somewhere along our training to become a fitness professional we were taught or required to learn anatomy.

However, unless you were taught by a rather progressive instructor, what you were told about muscle function is mostly wrong - or rather incomplete to be more politically correct.

What do I mean by that?

We just finished our 4th and final module in the C.N.S. (soon to be called the Integrative Movement Specialist certification) where we discussed the functional, integrative roles our muscle system plays in achieving and maintaining stability.

In this edition of FITNESS INSIDER we will look at:

The larger role that muscles play in function.

Why this is important to you as a fitness professional.

Most importantly, how this knowledge can benefit your clients with the forward shoulder posture.

Consider the scapular adductors, the middle trapezius and rhomboids. We learned that they adduct the scapula to help stabilize the shoulder complex and maintain posture.

However, did you learn that the rhomboids and middle trapezius are actually spinal rotators?

Both muscles have attachments to the upper thoracic spinous processes and attach to the medial border of the scapula. In infants, these muscles function to bring the spine towards the fixed arm during crawling, functioning to support the spine and contribute to ipsilateral spinal rotation. In fact, their role as scapular adductors are likely secondary to their actions on the spine.

So what about many of the exercises we commonly perform to improve posture such as (Y's, T's, W's, wall angels, and scapular retractions during rowing exercises)? These patterns are unlikely to improve posture because they are not addressing the functional action of these muscles.

So how do you improve both the functional role that these muscles have on the spine as well as improve the forward shoulder position so prevalent in your clients?

Start with closed chain exercises such as the wall plank that teach both scapular stability in addition to spinal neutral posture. While relatively low level, this integrative pattern helps cue clients to activate their serratus anterior, rotate the spine around a stable limb, and improve spinal elongation. This serves as a great progression to virtually all upper body pushing and pulling exercises.

Check out these video demonstrations of the wall plank and how you can progress this into an integrative pattern. http://fitnesseducationseminars.com/Forward_Shoulder.htm

CONCLUSION

Improving posture and integrative function of the scapular stabilizers is a constant challenge for us. By incorporating the fundamental principles of integrative muscle function, you can help your clients achieve improved posture, function and a return to the activities they enjoy.

www.fitnesseducationseminars.com Fitness Education Seminars Disclaimer: No express or implied warranty (whether of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or otherwise) or other guarantee is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information or content contained in any of the pages in this newsletter, web site or otherwise provided by Fitness Education Seminars. No responsibility is accepted and all responsibility is hereby disclaimed for any loss or damage suffered as a result of the use or misuse of any information or content or any reliance thereon. It is the responsibility of all users of this website to satisfy themselves as to the medical and physical condition of themselves and their clients in determining whether or not to use or adapt the information or content provided in each circumstance. Notwithstanding the medical or physical condition of each user, no responsibility or liability is accepted and all responsibility and liability is hereby disclaimed for any loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of the use or misuse of any of the information or content in this website, and any and all liability for incidental and consequential damages is hereby expressly excluded. You should consult your medical doctor before beginning any exercise program.

About The Author Dr. Evan Osar is a chiropractic physician and movement specialist. His practice is built on teaching his patients and clients to move better with the use of corrective exercises. He lectures nationally and internationally on the topic of exercise and corrective movement. He has authored several books and dvds on the topic of exercise and corrective movement.