Get Out of Shoulder Pain by Identifying Your Stuck Fascia

Addressing your fascia can help you get out of shoulder pain fast. I spent many months and thousands of dollars trying to rehab my mystery shoulder issues, but nothing worked. Then, I discovered a practitioner who put his hands on my shoulders, and after two sessions, I had one hundred percent elimination of pain and perfect mobility. He had freed my stuck fascia, and the release fixed everything. Here’s how you can quickly escape shoulder pain and return to your active life by assessing your fascia.

Mystery Shoulder Pain and Dysfunction

I had chronic, achy pain and extreme discomfort during any shoulder movement. My movements felt choppy, and I couldn’t lift my arms above shoulder height without extreme pain. The pain wasn’t related to an injury; it crept up to the point where I could no longer work out, and I was in pain every day. I attributed it to years of lifting heavy weights and aging. I saw a physiotherapist for manual therapy, dry needling, and exercise rehab. I saw an acupuncturist and did energy work; however, with all of these interventions, the improvements in my shoulder pain were minimal. What was going on?

Spotlight on the Shoulder Girdle

Let’s get to know the shoulder girdle—this complex and intricate structure that’s like the hub of activity for your upper body. Consisting of the clavicle (collarbone) and scapula (shoulder blade), it connects the upper limbs to the trunk, providing a wide range of motion and stability essential for various arm and shoulder movements.

Fascia is the Stretchy Wrap

All components of the entire shoulder girdle (bones, muscles, tendons, and all) are covered in a fascial wrap. Like cling wrap, Fascia holds everything tightly and closely, allowing each structure to be connected. Communication within the shoulder girdle and to the rest of the body happens electrically through the liquid matrix that makes up the fascia. There are also fibers (collagen and elastin) in there, but the gel-like fluid is our focus since its absence is where our pain and dysfunction come from.

Fascia Dries Out

The gel-like fluid of our fascia must keep moving. It flows throughout specific fascial lines along meridians in the body; some deep, some closer to the surface. Like a stream that gets jammed up with debris, our fascia fluid can also get backed up. It might be from an injury, poor posture, or extra-fitted clothing; when our fascia flow is restricted, it can dehydrate. 

When fascial tissue becomes dehydrated, it can have a significant impact on the health and function of the shoulder girdle in several ways:

1. Decreased Mobility: Dehydrated fascial tissue can lead to stiffness and tightness in the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the shoulder girdle. This can restrict mobility and range of motion, making it harder to perform daily activities and movements like reaching overhead or rotating your arm.

2. Increased Risk of Injury: When fascial tissue is dehydrated, it becomes less elastic and more prone to injury. This can increase the risk of strains, sprains, and overuse injuries in the shoulder girdle, particularly during activities that require repetitive or overhead movements.

3. Impaired Muscle Function: Fascia supports and coordinates muscle function. Dehydrated fascial tissue can interfere with force transmission between muscles, leading to inefficiencies in movement and potential imbalances in muscle activation around the shoulder girdle.

4. Poor Posture and Alignment: Dehydrated fascial tissue can contribute to postural imbalances and alignment issues in the shoulder girdle. This can manifest as rounded shoulders, forward head posture, or uneven shoulder heights, which may increase the risk of developing chronic pain or dysfunction over time.

5. Compression of Nerves and Blood Vessels: Tight or dehydrated fascial tissue can compress nerves and blood vessels in the shoulder girdle, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or decreased circulation in the arms and hands.

Fascia Hydration Strategy

The above are clues that you might have stuck fascia. Several modalities work at the fascia level. These include myofascial release with a foam roller or ball, percussion therapy with a tool, manual therapy with a skilled practitioner, and fascia fitness classes with a specialized instructor.

I used a manual therapist to restore the fascia in my shoulder girdle. He is an advanced Ayurveda massage therapist who was able to assess where my fascia was stuck instantly. In two one-hour sessions, he was able to free my stuck fascia. I also use the MELT Method regularly to keep my fascia juicy and flowing, and I have been pain-free for over a year.

Return to Flow and Function

Maintaining hydrated fascial tissue is crucial for the health and function of the shoulder girdle. By staying hydrated, engaging in regular movement and stretching, and addressing any imbalances or dysfunctions, you can help keep your shoulder girdle happy, healthy, and functioning optimally.

Happy rehydration,

-Shari

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