shoulder pain

[Gator,SN]

Hello ALL!

Today in class we had an exercise where we all practiced relaxation techniques (related to pain management for palliative care.) I realized that I carry a lot of my stress in my shoulders. It was almost painful to relax my arms and back. Afterward I was amazed. My study buddy said that her stress was in her legs. She tenses up and flexes her calf muscles.

Try to stiffen all your muscles as tight as possible and then release each group one by one....When you are done you will FEEL the difference.

I thought it was pretty cool........I learned something new anyway.

Give it a try sometime and see. It might make you feel better!!??

Gator:)

[renerian, BSN, RN]

Did that in lamaze too. Is good. I do it with my shoulders and neck.

renerian

[Mkue]

Thanks Gator, sounds like a good idea !:)

[PennyLane, RN]

I currently work in front of a computer, and I have to constantly remind myself to RELAX my shoulders. I catch myself with my shoulders almost up to my ears!!! ESp. my mouse arm.

Also sitting and standing up straight helps a lot to keep the body properly aligned. I did some Alexander work a few years ago, and got to the point where I was pretty good about being relaxed and aligned, but that quickly went away. :chuckle

[babynursewannab]

That's a great technique! I use it on nights I can't seem to get to sleep. I'm a shoulder-huncher too.

Before I quit work people there used to think I was nuts because they'd walk around the corner and see me standing, hanging over at the waist with my forearms crossed & hands holding the opposite elbows. I'd bounce a little or sway with rotation of the planet, but basically I was gently stretching out my entire spine. mmmmmmmmm it felt yummy after all the sitting I did.

-Alyssa