Shoulder Instability Prehab/Rehab Phase 2

Fix It Friday will feature common injuries in dancers with a few tips to improve or prevent them!

Additions to phase 1 to help stabilize that shoulder, improve posture, & decrease pain! Check back in 2 wks for the final phase.

Shoulder Instability Phase 2: Start at phase 1, getting comfortable with the few exercises, if you’re seeing improvements & the movements are getting easy, time to add phase 2 here to help stabilize that shoulder, improve posture, & decrease pain! Check back in 2 wks for the final phase.

Plank Plus: Serratus Anterior is often overlooked, but not here. Get in a plank position, starting on some higher surface, focus on elbows staying locked & core tight as begin push yourself away from the bar. Only the shoulder blades are moving here, spreading apart. Then slowly lower your body as your shoulder bladers come together. Repeat 10-20 reps 3 sets, once doing 20 reps, lower the surface to increase difficulty.

Plank with Arm Lift: Start in high plank as you get your shoulders comfortable with 1 arm stability. Try to lift the arm up, maybe only slightly at first, as you prevent your torso or hips from swaying/rotating. Increase the 1 arm hold up to 30 secs as you can. Lower time for more reps (15-30) & longer hold maybe only 5 reps each side. 2-3 sets. Lower planks as it gets too easy.

Y’s for lower trapezius: Can start flat or on and incline. This is a hard move to master as most people with shrug their shoulders, or bring their shoulders up towards their ear. Really work to limit that as the movement should start with your shoulder blades getting squeezed back/down & shouldn’t lose that position as raise the arm up. Don’t worry about how high arm gets until master the move. 5-25 reps 3 sets, can hold water bottles, light dumbbells, soup cans, etc. to add resistance if becomes easy.

Every exercise should feel hard, but not impossible. Start with higher reps, working more resistance, to the lower of the rep range. Can do as a circuit or separate out each exercise. Can mix with or do on separate days of phase 1. Start with 4-5 days/week down to 2-3 days/week if shoulder feeling better. If pain or popping in the shoulder, could be more going on & should stop the exercise, seeking further guidance.

This is not medical advice. This is general exercises for mild shoulder instability issues. Please seek professional advice for injuries or pain persisting over time. If general exercise gives you pain, you likely need more specific & direct attention. Fix It Friday is limited to 3-4 exercises a week, when there may be dozens of better options for your specific condition if it is worse. Take care of your body.



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Scott DPT
#BeyondCrunchesandPilés

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Group Information and Equipment Guidelines

Review the information below to find out which track is the right one for you. You can also watch this video that walks you through the options.

Once you have chosen your track you can submit the form at the bottom of this page. Select one and only one option, please.

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Group 1:

If you have access to equipment such as free weights, any cardio equipment (rower, stairs, treadmill, bike, etc.), and other things common in a fitness center, “Group 1” is for you!

  • You could also run rather than use cardio equipment
  • Options to include steps, med balls, etc. included, but these are optional

Group 2:

If you’re primarily doing this at home, with resistance bands (though a few small weights can easily be added if you have them), but still can use stairs, bike, run, or have some cardio equipment access, select “Group 2”

Group 3:

Lastly, If you don’t like to run, and don’t have access to any cardio (no stairs, bikes, or lap pools) then the last option is for you! “Group 3”

  • You will still get cardio, but in the form of exercises, you can do in a single room. This option was made specifically for COVID and people who can’t easily get outside.

Group 4:

This program is made specifically for the demands of male dancers, taking into account some extra work for upper body to support partnering, extra stability for the lower back, etc. This option is similar to group 1 in terms of equipment need.

  • If you need a band only option, please consider the co-ed options of group 2 or 3.” If you need a band only option, please consider the co-ed options of group 2 or 3.

No track is better than the other, you will get results regardless. You can find more information about the equipment requirements for each track by scrolling down.

Equipment Guidelines

Group 1: NSNH Full

Required

Weights:

  • Medium to heavy dumbbells (anywhere from 10-50 lbs depending on experience)

Bands:

  • Strong Resistance bands that can be short loops or long for different exercises
  • Plus an anchor to hold it in place
  • Cable machine would also work

Cardio:

  • Either access to equipment (any of the following: pool, bike, treadmill, rower, stair stepper, elliptical)
  • Or space to run, actual stairs, or a bike a safe space to ride it

Recommended

Squat Rack and/or Suspension Trainer

  • Squat Rack and barbell could be used instead of suspension trainer (not just for putting the weight on your back, but also movements where you may hold on the the weight in the rack)
  • If neither available, band alternatives are provided

Misc:

  • Stability Ball
    • Sliders or a towel on smooth floor can work as well
  • Box/Step/Sturdy bench to step or jump on

Optional

Weights:

  • Medicine balls
  • Kettlebells can be used or substituted for other weights
  • Squat rack and barbell for adding increased challenge to some movements

Group 2: NSNH Home + Cardio

Required

Bands:

  • Strong Resistance bands that can be short loops or long for different exercises
    • Plus an anchor to hold it in place
  • Cable machine would also work

Cardio:

  • Either access to equipment (any of the following: pool, bike, treadmill, rower, stair stepper, elliptical)
  • Or space to run, actual stairs, or a bike a safe space to ride it

Recommended

Misc:

  • Stability Ball
    • Sliders or a towel on smooth floor can work as well
  • Box/Step/Sturdy bench to step or jump on

Optional

Weights:

  • If you get dumbbells, barbells, etc. you can easily add them into this program. 
  • Medicine balls

Group 3: NSNH Home Only

Required

Bands:

  • Strong Resistance bands that can be short loops or long for different exercises
  • Plus an anchor to hold it in place
  • Cable machine would also work

Cardio:

  • Due to COVID-19 some people have to space to go outdoors or access to equipment. This program will take away traditional cardio work, and replace it with exercises you can do with a band or just bodyweight in any room. 
  • If you enjoy running, biking, or swimming (and have access to it regularly) we recommend group 2)

Recommended

Misc:

  • Stability Ball
    • Sliders or a towel on smooth floor can work as well
  • Box/Step/Sturdy bench to step or jump on

Optional

Weights:

  • If you get dumbbells, barbells, etc. you can easily add them into this program. 
  • This program is a better option if don’t often have access
  • Medicine balls

Group 4: NSNH Men

Group 4: NSNH Men

Required

Weights:

  • Medium to heavy dumbbells (anywhere from 10-50 lbs depending on experience)

Bands:

  • Strong Resistance bands that can be short loops or long for different exercises
  • Plus an anchor to hold it in place
  • Cable machine would also work

Cardio:

  • Either access to equipment (any of the following: pool, bike, treadmill, rower, stair stepper, elliptical)
  • Or space to run, actual stairs, or a bike a safe space to ride it

Recommended

Squat Rack and/or Suspension Trainer

  • Squat Rack and barbell could be used instead of suspension trainer (not just for putting the weight on your back, but also movements where you may hold on the the weight in the rack)
  • If neither available, band alternatives are provided

Misc:

  • Stability Ball
    • Sliders or a towel on smooth floor can work as well
  • Box/Step/Sturdy bench to step or jump on

Optional

Weights:

  • Medicine balls
  • Kettlebells can be used or substituted for other weights
  • Squat rack and barbell for adding increased challenge to some movements