Slouching Like A Cavemen!

Next time you’re out and about, check out the posture of people walking by. It is not surprising to see many incorrect and faulty postural positions. Many people look like they are walking like CAVEMEN!! The shoulders are slumped forward and the head is tilted out and down. OUCH! Can't be too healthy!

Many of the imbalances in our body can be fixed, but first we must take a look at 1) The cause, and then 2) taking a look at the muscular imbalances and 3) take corrective measures to fix them.

Let’s first take a look at the superficial muscles of the shoulder girdle.


Starting from the posterior we have four muscles called the rotator cuff muscles. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that work in the shoulder joint to keep the humerus from popping out. This makes the Rotator Cuff critical for shoulder stability.

We also have the Traps or Trapezius. Trapezius gets its name from its trapezium-like shape; the corners being the neck, the two shoulders, and the thoracic vertebra, T12. The traps main functions are to elevate, retract, adduct and rotate the scapula.

The final superficial muscles in the shoulder girdle are the deltoids which are divided into three "heads" (Front deltoid, medial deltoid and rear deltoid) The function of the Deltoid muscle is essentially to move the arm away from the body:

The Front head raises it away to the front.
The Medial head up and away to the side and
Posterior head away to the rear.

So typically when I am working with a client I will take a look from the side to see how the shoulder girdle lines up in relation to the rest of the body.

95 percent of the time when clients come to me they have great shoulder instability which is the result of years of poor posture.

The first thing that I see is the shoulders are slumped forward. The majority of my clients fall into this category. We can attribute this to extremely weak and underdeveloped trapezius muscles and rotator cuff muscles and tight pectoral muscles (chest)

The majority of shoulder injuries happen because of untrained mid-fiber traps (muscles in between the shoulder blades) and tight chest muscles. This closes off the shoulder joint and often causes bursitis, shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tears.

The corrective measures taken to fix this situation are very simple. Depending on degree of degeneration in the mid-fiber traps a weight training program will be implemented to strengthen the mid fiber traps, the trapiezius and rear deltoid and then lengthen the pectoral muscles.

99.9 percent of injuries can be fixed using this method. If however you tear the supraspinatus, (The supraspinatus tendon muscle runs along the top of the shoulder blade and inserts via the tendon at the top of the arm) then surgery must be performed first and allowed to heal before any further weight training activates are to be resumed.

The client would also have to practice good posture outside of the gym as well. To fix a forward shoulder roll, the client must always walk with the hands by the sides, not by the front of the body. The client must make sure to pull the shoulder blades back so that the chest "pops" up slightly.

If you have feel that your posture needs improvement come talk to us at Optimum Lifestyle Centre!


5950 Rochdale Blvd
545-3700
www.optimumlifestyle.ca 

So many people embark on a healthy lifestyle this time of year, but many people will fail? Why is this? 

Here is the truth of it all. YOU create your own reality. Your world is a creation of your thoughts and your ideals. You have to remember that we all create our own realities. Within our realities we also create limiting beliefs that stop us from achieving true health and happiness.

 

Our inner world dictates our outer world. Your thoughts are things... so when you say you don't have time to exercise, then that is your reality. When you say you cannot afford something, then that too becomes your reality. Whatever you think will become reality. 

 

So before you go and try to change your body we need to start working on the inner world.  We need to work on changing your reality of your situation. You must now look beyond your limitations and move toward your innate possibilities. 

 

You must now start to create a different reality ... IN YOUR MIND FIRST. 

 

The key to being fit (which is our birthright) is to come about it in a different manner. You have to stop your "stinkin thinkin" and realize that you have control of your own world. You have control of how you plan your day, what you eat, when you exercise, what job you have, where you live, what you think. 

 

The magic thing about our lives... is that if we don't like something we can literally rip of the script and start over. ..If you don't like the direction your health and your fitness levels are going, then you need to rip up your old life script and write a new one. 

 

At Optimum Lifestyle Centre we are here to really help you change the way you see yourself. We help open your mind to the possibilities of abundant health and fitness.

The first thing that you must do is ACT. Using your personal power and acting is the first big step! 

Email us or phone to speak with our health professionals and personal trainers. We are always here to listen and to provide advice. Phone us at 545-3700 or email Trevor@optimumlifestyle.ca 

Transform Yourself!

Trevor Folgering

Head Trainer

Optimum Lifestyle Centre 

545-3700