Stretching improves flexibility – the range of motion of our joints.  All it takes is a quick look at a child and the many awkward ( for us ) positions they manage to get into, for us to realize we’ve lost something.  Our flexibility!!

Where did our flexibility go?

As children, we ran, jumped, climbed, rolled, wrestled, cartwheeled, flipped, swam and more.  We moved – a lot!  And it was FUN!  Contrast that with our present sedentary lifestyles.  Most people move as little as possible and then groan and complain when we have to physically do anything outside the norm.

People, it’s true – if you don’t use it, you lose it!

And why is stretching so important?

• stretching improves muscular balance around the joint, which improves your posture.  Notice how you sit, stand or walk.  We tend to slouch in everything we do. Slouching leads to tension, pain, stress and frustration. Stretching can help.
• stretching is the best way to maintain flexibility.  It’s not difficult to learn basic stretches and you don’t need to join a gym.
• a regular program of stretching will improve your mobility for life.
• according to the video below, stretching reduces the chance of injury.
• stretching may reduce the risk of injury during activity
• watch this video for some simple but effective stretches that will help almost everyone.  Give them a try – feel the stretch.

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Post tags: range of motion, self-stretch, shoulder stretching

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Frozen shoulder sucks!

• No one knows what causes it – in fact – “Most often, frozen shoulder occurs with no associated injury or discernible cause”
• We do know that frozen shoulder results from inflammation, scarring, thickening and shrinkage of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint.
• An injury to the shoulder can lead to frozen shoulder.
• No one can tell you how long it will last.

The Mayo clinic reports:

Your risk of developing frozen shoulder increases if you’ve recently had to have your arm in a sling for several weeks, or if you have had surgery in which your arm was immobilized in a specific position for a prolonged period.

How to Heal a Frozen Shoulder

That’s a million dollar statement – if you knew how to do it.  In truth, typical treatment involves:  the use of anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and physical therapy.  Physcial therapy can involve several different modalities:

• Ice packs
• Electric stimulation
• Range of motion stretches
• strengthening exercises

If none of this helps, you may be a candidate for Manipulation Under Anesthesia.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)

Sounds sanitary – doesn’t it?  What it really means is that you’re put to sleep and then your shoulder joint is forced to move in various positions:  flexion, external rotation, internal rotation.  This manipulation stretches and tears the scar tissue that has developed in the joint capsule.  Oh – they put you to sleep because of the pain involved.

Video of Shoulder Joint Manipulation Under Anestesia

Click here to view the embedded video.

Notes from MUA video

As you can see, the doctor performing the manipulation in the video is moving the patients shoulder in the same way a physical therapist does during physical therapy.  The only difference is the doctor is not inhibited by the patients pain level.

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Post tags: external rotation, frozen shoulder, internal rotation, manipulation

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Shoulder Performance & Rehab becomes Shoulder Rehab & Performance

If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you may have noticed the name has changed – okay, really it was just rearranged.  A couple of months ago, I installed a “plugin” to add some additional features to this blog.  That didn’t work out as I had planned – BUT – by the time I discovered the problem, nearly all of my Page and Post titles had been altered and caused a drastic drop in our Google ranking and and our blog traffic.

Since we had fallen off the map, so to speak, we thought it would be a good time to change the name.  Not a big change, but one that should help us in search rankings.

4 Powerful Rotater Reviews

Our shoulder rehab device – the Rotater – is receiving the attention of notable professionals in the fields of both shoulder rehabilitation and sports medicine / performance.

Patrick Ward - Sports Performance Coach and Licensed Massage Therapist

Who is Patrick Ward?

• he has a Masters Degree in Exercise Science
• he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• he is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
• he is a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) through National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
• he is a USA Weightlifting-Certified Club Coach
• he is also a licensed massage therapist in the State of Arizona
• he specializes in clinical, therapeutic and sports massage and is certified in Active Release Techniques (ART) for the Upper Extremity
• he is the Co-founder of Optimum Sports Performance

Patrick Ward had this to say in his Review of the Rotater:

The Rotater is versatile in that it allows the client to move in a variety of planes in order to obtain a stretch.  It is very comfortable to use and the 6-holes easily allow you to adjust the wrist strap or thera-tubing for any size arm.  Because of the design, clients can comfortably attain a stretch position and hold for extended period of time with ease.

and he closes with this final thought:

If you work with people who need help with either external or internal shoulder flexibility or strength, you may want to consider The Rotater for your clinic or gym.  Or, as a supplemental piece for the clients to keep at home as part of their self-care program.

Mike Young - Sports Medicine Professional

Who is Mike Young?

• he is the founder and owner of ELITETRACK
• he is the co-owner of Human Performance Consulting
• he is the coach of the HPC Elite Track Team
• he has an undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology
• he has a Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration
• he has a PhD in Biomechanics
• he has been on 6 NCAA National Championships staffs
• he is a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• he is a certified USA Weightlifting Club Coach

Mike Young recently wrote an article about the Rotater and Shoulder Injuries where he says:

It’s use is not super intuitive at first. I had to look at the pictures but when I did I was actually quite impressed with what you could do with it.

and…

…I think it’s one of the few products I think could be valuable for increasing the performance and decreasing the likelihood of injury in athletes that need to do high velocity, ballistic overhead movements.

he concludes with:

Disclaimer: The Rotater was sent to me for review and testing but they did not request any type of review or endorsement in return. I only wrote this review because I thought it might be useful for some of the overhead athletes on the site.

All Things Strength

Scott Bird is the owner of the website Straight To The Bar

Scott (and his father) recently reviewed the Rotater, here are their thoughts on the Rotater:

The Rotater is a brilliant thing.

Scott’s father tried the Rotater and says:

The results of my test of the Rotater are surprising, amazing, & in my case stimulating.

Scott’s closing remarks:

If you’ve ever experienced shoulder pain, you’ll understand just how frustrating it can be. Apart from the pain itself, it’s perhaps the fact that it prevents you from doing your normal exercise routine that’s the biggest source of aggravation.

In my case – and in my dad’s – The Rotater ended that frustration. An incredible feeling.

Donnie Kiernan of Combat Fitness Blog posted this video Review of the Rotater

Click here to view the embedded video.

I would like to thank Patrick Ward, Mike Young, Scott Bird and Donnie Keirnan for taking the time to express their thoughts about the Rotater.

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Post tags: external rotation, internal rotation, shoulder exercises, shoulder injury, shoulder rehab, shoulder stretching, the Rotater, throwing

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Yes, it’s been a while since my last post.  So what’s going on?  Busy, busy, busy.

If you follow Shoulder Rehab & Performance, then you’re aware that we’re the same guys who manufacture and market the Rotater for shoulder rehab and improved shoulder range of motion / performance.  I use this blog to let people know:

• what’s new in the shoulder rehab world
• about recent studies on a variety of shoulder related issues
• of new shoulder training techniques and videos
• other miscellaneous and interesting shoulder stuff I find while rummaging the net

Sometimes we include News about the Rotater!

ShoulderCentric.co.uk – Exclusive Distributor of the Rotater in UK

ShoulderCentric.co.uk - the Exclusive Distributor for the Rotater in the UK

We’re thrilled to announce that Andrew and Pat Bellamy have become the exclusive distributor of the Rotater in the U.K.  Andrew Bellamy is an Osteopath, mountain biker and scuba diver.

Mountain Biking fall causes fracture & shoulder dislocation

Andrew contacted me during his shoulder rehab – he had fractured and dislocated his shoulder during a nasty fall while mountain biking.  He purchased a Rotater online and I expected that to be the “end of the story”.  Not so – Andrew has been so impressed with the progress he’s made since incorporating the Rotater into his shoulder rehabilitation program that he’s become the exclusive distributor of the Rotater in the U.K.

Here’s the story in Andrew’s own words:

“During the frustrating rehab from a fracture/dislocation of my shoulder after falling off my mountain bike, I came across The Rotater. I had already had successful surgery and great physiotherapy, (and I have been an Osteopath for over 20 years), but it was all going too slowly for me.

A Rotater arrived in the UK in quick time and immediately made a positive difference. If for no other reason, it put control of my problem in my hands. As a patient, I like that control – as an Osteopath, I can appreciate the mechanical and physiological advantages of the way The Rotater keeps the axis of shoulder rotation in line with the upper arm. This prevents ‘patient cheating’ by tilting the body or dropping the arm when doing shoulder exercises, a common problem for physical therapists to overcome everywhere.

It’s now 12 weeks since my surgery; I’ve been back at work full-time for the last 8 weeks, plus I’m back to the gym, off-road biking, (no falls yet), and SCUBA diving. I have a great Physio, but the answer so often is to take good advice and then motivate yourself – the Rotater gives you that choice.

Frankly, I don’t usually do testimonials, but I will be recommending this device to my patients as well as using it as a tool in my clinic.”

Andrew Bellamy, D.O. – England

Shoulder Rehab Patents in England – Contact ShoulderCentric.co.uk

We’ve sent a lot of Rotaters to shoulder rehab patients and athletes in England over the past 20 months – now you no longer have to wait 10 -14 days to receive your order.  Contact Andrew and Pat:

• online at www.ShoulderCentric.co.uk
• by telephone ( 01273 455775 )
• or drop by their clinic  at 10 Western Road, Shoreham, W Sussex, BN43 5WD.

I’m sure they’ll be happy to answer your questions and give you a demonstration of the Rotater.

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Post tags: distributor, shoulder rehab device, the Rotater

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Mike Dobbyn – World Record Long Driver

We had the opportunity to meet Mike Dobbyn ( the world record holder for long drive – 551 yards ) during the PGA Expo in January 2008.  To say Mike is a big guy would be an understatement.  At 6′8″ and 300 lbs., he possesses uncanny strength, speed and flexibility – all of the characteristics needed to hit a golf ball astronomical distances.

In this video, Mike demonstrates why he is the world record holder by “crushing a golf ball”.  But that’s not all – notice how Mike explains the nuances of stretching your body to develop the shoulder turn necessary to generate an incredibly powerful golf swing.  Mike is at ease in front of a camera and is a natural teacher as he explains how to generate fantastic club head speed.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Mike Dobbyn Endorses the Rotater

When we met Mike last year, he tried the Rotater and was impressed with how well it stretched his shoulders.  We really didn’t think much more about it until Mike contacted us a couple of months ago to tell us about impact the Rotater was having on his shoulders.  Here is what Mike Dobbyn has to say about the Rotater:

• “I noticed after only a few days of using The Rotater a much more flexible and stronger shoulder area!”
• “After using The Rotater for only 1 week I have achieved more extension at the top of my back-swing thus giving me a larger swing arc and the ability to generate more club-head speed.”
• “Having been an athlete since I was very young and having multiple shoulder injuries from over use in baseball I can honestly say that there is no better tool on the market than The Rotater for stretching and rehabilitating the entire shoulder area.”
• “If you want to hit the ball farther with more ease and be in less pain, then you have to get The Rotater!”

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Post tags: Golf, long drive, shoulder stretching, the Rotater

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During the holidays, we get to spend time with visiting relatives.  Often, it’s the only time we get to see them all year.  My sister always comes home to Alabama to visit our parents for Christmas.  During her stay this time, she asked me how the Rotater business was doing and was excited to hear that:

• 5 NFL teams are using the Rotater
• we just sent a large order to the US Navy SEALS
• we recently met Donald Trump

MRI Results – SLAP Tear!

Suzan (my sister) asked me what a SLAP tear was and if the Rotater would help her.  I had posted an article about SLAP tears back in September, so I pulled it up on the web and discovered the video I had posted was no longer available – it was a great video, too.  I have yet to find a suitable replacement.

SLAP Tear

Anyway, to make a long story shorter, Suzan had an MRI done just prior to coming home for Christmas and it revealed that she had a SLAP tear.  That doesn’t really surprise me.  She is a life-long athlete who went to college on a basketball scholarship, played competitive softball into her 30’s and has trained with weights for the last 20 years.

Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior Tear

- what does that mean?  If you’ll look at the picture to the above, you’ll see an image of a shoulder ( without the upper arm ).  The oblong structure labelled “GLENOID LIG.” is where the ball of your upper arm would be.  It is maintained in that position by the rotator cuff ( not shown ).

Notice the BICEPS ligament attaches at the top of and to the GLENOID LIG. A SLAP tear occurs when there is a separation of the GLENOID LIGAMENT in front of the BICEPS LIGAMENT (anterior) and behind the BICEPS LIGAMENT (posterior) – if you draw a line from one blue arrow to the other and imagine peeling the GLENOID LIGAMENT away from the bony structure of the GLENOID FOSSA, you would will have a SLAP tear.

Symptoms of a SLAP tear

• A dull throbbing ache in the joint.  This can be brought on by very strenuous exertion or simple household chores. Sufferers notice that they turn to ice packs more frequently for relief.
• Difficulty sleeping due to shoulder discomfort. The SLAP lesion decreases the stability of the joint which when combined with lying in bed causes the shoulder to drop. This in turn pulls on the muscles and ligaments causing discomfort.
• For an athlete involved in a throwing sport such as baseball, pain and a catching feeling are prevalent.
• Any applied force overhead or pushing directly into the shoulder can result in impingement and catching sensations.

Community of SLAP tear sufferers

slaptear.com is an interactive website that offers extensive and easy-to-understand information – usually from the patients point of view.  It’s worth a visit.

The Real Scientific Explanation of SLAP tears

Mike Reinold, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS, is considered one of the top experts in the fields of physical rehabilitation and sports medicine.  Mike has written several very good articles about SLAP tears.  If you want the compete 411, then take a look at the following articles by Mike:

• What Exactly Is a SLAP Lesion? Top 5 Things You Need to Know About a Superior Labral Tear
• Mechanisms of Injury to the Superior Labrum

How to test for a SLAP tear – a video by Mike Reinold

Click here to view the embedded video.

Will the Rotater help if you have a SLAP tear?

The answer is a qualified no!  The tear must be surgically reattached and allowed to fuse / grow together.  However, after surgery and when you doctor releases you to begin physical therapy, then the Rotater can be instrumental in helping you to regain your range of motion.

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Post tags: physical therapy, shoulder, shoulder surgery, SLAP tear, the Rotater

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This shoulder exercise requires no expensive equipment of any kind.  It can be done anywhere – anytime and will increase your shoulder mobility and your external rotation.

How to perform this shoulder mobility exercise

• stand with your back against a wall
• place your hands, forearms and elbows against the wall as shown
• extend your hands and arms overhead
• when any part of your hands, elbows or arms lose contact with the wall, return to the starting position and repeat the movement

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Post tags: external rotation, shoulder exercises, shoulder mobility

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Last month I wrote an article describing how shoulder replacement is an option for dealing with chronic shoulder pain. However, this procedure is not for everyone.  If you have an irrepairable rotator cuff tear, then conventional shoulder replacement surgery will not provide the results that you hope for.

Reversing the solution

By reversing the placement of the ball and socket, the deltoid muscles are able to provide the action needed to allow shoulder mobility without compromising shoulder stability.

Reverse shoulder replacement has been done in Europe for many years, but has only become an option for patients in the U.S. since 2004.

News Video of Reverse Shoulder Replacement Experience

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Cold or Heat Therapy

Back in the “old” days when I played high school baseball, I can remember coming home from practice and heading straight to the freezer.  That’s where I kept about 6 paper cups that I had put there the previous day.  I would tear tear the top half of the paper off (this left the bottom half for a semi-insulated handle) and begin to rub my shoulder with the now-hardened ice ( unless I could get my mom or one of my sisters to rub it for me ).

This worked well, but not without problems:

• it could get messy as the ice block thawed
• it often required help to reach those areas that I couldn’t reach
• you had to make sure that you put the cups filled with water in the freezer the night before

Elasto-Gel to the rescue

Elasto-Gel is a self-contained shoulder wrap filled with a substance that retains either heat or cold.  In other words, it can be used as a heating pad for your shoulder or as ice therapy following a workout or shoulder injury.

Heat or Cold Therapy for Your Shoulder

Priced at $84.95 – it’ affordable, simple to use and not messy (it won’t leak!)

Shoulder Extension – Get a Ladder!

Recently we received the following email about the Rotater:

“Saw your web page and am intrigued. I had shoulder surgery about three years ago to repair a thoroughly torn (180 degree tear) labrum and also have substantial wear and tear from calcified cartilage fragments (mostly in the humerus).

I am largely pain free, even when lifting weights, but my range of motion, as far as rotation and extension overhead, is substantially limited. In other words, I am only slight compromised on a bench press, more compromised on an incline press, and severely compromised on any upright press, as I am unable to extend my right arm fully overhead.

Will the rotater help this at all? I understand how it would help rotation, and I need that, but it would be nice to focus rehab on both rotation AND overhead extension.”

Scott Kay, the inventor of the Rotater answered as follows:

“I understand your situation. I also had extension and rotational limitations after surgery. Unfortunately, the Rotater will only benefit your internal and external rotation limits. But the extension should be easy.

I had a lot of success with shoulder pulleys. Also you can use a finger ladder or simply finger walk up the wall. Finger walk up a wall as far as you can and mark it. Do it several times each day and you will be surprised how quick you will increase you extension limits.”

Hausmann Shoulder Ladder

Hausmann Shoulder Ladder for increased shoulder extension and range of motion

The concept is a simple one:

• mount the Shoulder Ladder on a wall or other vertical surface
• reach up to the ladder with the hand of your compromised shoulder
• begin to use your fingers to “walk” up the ladder
• “walk” as high as your pain level will allow
• mark the height you reached and try to exceed that height with each following attempt

At a cost of $98.99, it’s kinda pricey.  You could always use a doorframe or the wall itself.  Please note that the steps do perform the function.  They allow your fingers to grip something which will make you less likely to slip when your shoulder begins to tire and hurt.

My Shoulder Extension Exercise

During my recovery from shoulder surgery, I used a similar method that involved a pool table.  Yea, I spent quite a bit of time drinking beer and shooting pool – back in “the day”.

Anyway, soon after (too soon, according to my doctor) my shoulder surgery, the call of pool tournaments and beer led me back to those places where both could be found.  Because I loved to shoot pool and compete, I devised an effective but slow method of extending my injured shoulder.  Here’s how:

• I would remove my injured arm/shoulder from the sling and in a fully erect posture, place my bridge hand (the hand of my injured shoulder)  on the pool table
• then I would slowly walk backward while bending at the waist
• I would stop when the pain exceeded my current beer level and perform my shot
• I then slowly walked back up to my hand and put it back into the sling

It is unconventional, but it worked for me.  Be sure to ask your doctor before trying this at home ( or a bar ).

The Ultimate Pitching, Throwing & Shoulder Exerciser?

The Finch Windmill

The Ultimate Pitching, Throwing & Shoulder Exerciser

Invented by Doug Finch, the father of renowned softball pitcher Jennie Finch, the Finch Windmill promises to:

• increase speed
• correct muscle imbalances
• rehabilitate a shoulder injury
• work in as little as 4 minutes a day

I’ve never used this product, but they do have some credibility – I mean his daughter has been using it since she was nine and look how good she is.  If that’s not enough for you, then check out this study done by Penn State.

Priced at $325.00 – it’s only about twice as much as a quality aluminum bat costs.

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Post tags: cold therapy, heat therapy, pitching, shoulder exercise, shoulder extension, shoulder ladder, shoulder rehab, throwing

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What’s the difference between a sore shoulder and an injured shoulder?

• soreness goes away – the pain related to a shoulder injury lingers
• soreness is typically related to the shoulder muscles – a shoulder injury usually impacts the tendons. ligaments or cartilage of the joint

What are some of the things to look for?

• shoulder pain while sleeping – difficulty sleeping
• shoulder weakness
• limited shoulder strength and / or mobility
• inability to perform normal movements
• difficulty reaching overhead
• unusual shoulder pain

Don’t live with constant shoulder pain – see your doctor – get an MRI

There was a video here – the website that hosted that video is no longer online and I haven’t yet found a video replacement.

Shoulder surgery techniques have come a long way in the past twenty years.  Don’t live with shoulder pain – see your doctor and learn what options you have.

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Post tags: shoulder injury, shoulder pain, shoulder surgery, shoulder symptoms

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