Shoulder pain

Many complain of shoulder pain. Some more medical descriptions of issues mention rotatory cuff, impingement syndrome, etc. One fact we have to know about shoulder is that it is a very shallow joint. There is a perfectly good reason for that – to provide range of movement. Unfortunately this very mobility that we need to go about our tasks makes shoulder joint vulnerable. We have all heard about and many even experienced dislocated shoulders. Hips dislocations are much less frequent, because hip is a much deeper joint than a shoulder with much greater strength at the expense of lower range of movement.

Feldenkrais approach to shoulder issues is to start by describing them as “issues experienced in shoulder”. What exact movement are you trying to make that is painful or arrested? Reaching out for something perhaps? But have you asked yourself these questions: Does your spine participate in the movement? Your ribs? Are you shifting your weight and move pelvis as you are trying to reach out further?

If other parts of the body are not participating in the shoulder movement as they should – and they almost always should – the poor rotary cuff and other supporting structures are constantly overworking. No wonder that after some years or decades of misuse they start sending distress signals.