The shoulder is a complicated structure. Most workouts involve shoulder movement. Your shoulders better be performing optimally if you want to be performing at your best and stay healthy, avoiding injuries such as shoulder impingement!

Shoulder health and performance is reliant on multiple factors including:

•The rotator cuff’s ability to stabilize the shoulder
•The scapula (shoulder blade) properly rotating upward during shoulder elevation
•Thoracic spine mobility
•Shoulder mobility

If any of these factors are off, the shoulder is put at an increased risk of injury.
The most common shoulder injury we see in athletes is shoulder impingement.
In this condition, the soft tissues of the shoulder are pinched between the humeral head and acromion.
This results in pain, weakness, decreased mobility and ultimately, poor performance.

If let to continue, this can progress to more serious problems including a tear of the rotator cuff muscles.
Here are some exercises that will help stabilize and strengthen your shoulder to help prevent shoulder impingement injury. All of these involve using a cylindrical rolling foam.

1. Take a piece of foam and roll it up the wall. Start by placing the knife-edge of your interlaced hands on the foam. Roll it, raising your arms over your head all the way up. Then roll it down. Repeat 10 times.
2. Place the foam under the shoulder blades, across your back. Lie on it and stretch your arms upwards. This is a great thoracic opener. Lie for 60 seconds.
3. Place the foam under your chest, and lie on it facing down. Slowly raise your arms over your head as if you’re doing snow angels and back down to your sides. For stronger athletes, carry barbells in your arms. Repeat 10 times.
For more ideas on how to reduce risks to shoulder injuries, please contact us at:

Tel: (416) 477-1101
E-mail: reception@priclinic.com
Web: www.priclinic.com