[quote]on edge wrote:
[quote]Theface wrote:
[quote]on edge wrote:
[quote]Theface wrote:
You typically won’t have selective spasming for no reason. It sounds like the treatment you have received so far just hasn’t illuminated the underlying cause of the spasm. Spasm is typically a reaction to some type of instability or injury as a protective mechanism[/quote]
I don’t know if spasm is the right word. It hurts and it starts to tighten up. Not a full on cramp or anything like that, just a little bit tight.[/quote]
I’m assuming you mean upper trap. Just a stab in the dark but it could be protective tension or overuse of the trap/levator due to some inferior or posterior shoulder restriction. When you had ART did they work and of the cuff muscles or in your armpit or did they just work trap? Did they watch you move before and after treatment? Did they make any comment on GH vs scapulothoracic motion?[/quote]
It’s either upper trap or Levator, possibly both. Over-use for sure. My right rotator cuff is pretty fucked up and my left scap was giving me trouble so I was hammering my traps. I think my mistake was not reducing the trap volume as my scap improved and I was able to add other movements.
My shoulder mobility is really good except for very poor internal and external rotation of the right arm, which is the same side as the trap injury. Despite my fucked up rotator cuff, I really don’t think this injury is due to any movement restrictions. Of course I’m willing to look into anything.
The message therapists worked the whole back, chest & shoulders but focussed mainly on the trap & levator.[/quote]
Have you noticed a difference in decreasing the volume of upper trap work?
If your IR & ER are poor then it will affect your other motions, either through direct restriction or compensation. It isn’t solely about quantity, but quality of motion as well. What I mean by this is, if you can raise your arm up to the side all the way to your ear, great, but if the last 20 degrees of motion is like you added 20 pounds of resistance, then you might have some restriction that is causing the levator/trap to work overtime to get that last bit of motion. The movement restriction might be subtle, or you might be a great compensator, and it takes a trained eye to see those differences sometimes.
It sounds like the massage therapists took the old shotgun approach rather than took into account what your specific problem is, and where it’s coming from. Although it’s impossible to say for sure without having you in front of me, from what you’re describing it sounds like the trap/levator are secondary casualties of something else.
Were they actually ART certified, or did they just say they did ART? If you go on the ART website you can find providers in your area. I would suggest finding someone who is master’s level and/or biomechanics certified. Depending on your area I might be able to point you in the direction of a good provider as well, feel free to PM me.