27th Installment: "Stiff Shoulders!"
Children are in the midst of summer vacation. It's a great opportunity to make the most of the break by engaging in experiences, studies, or sports to level up. Regarding sports, there are various ways to improve, such as learning from coaches afar or dedicating an entire day to intensive training. While I'm not in a position to comment on the technical aspects of each sport, as a massage therapist, I have advice for all athletes: "No matter how good the coach is, undergoing extremely challenging training would be meaningless if good physical condition isn't maintained." In other words, wouldn't incorrect forms be ingrained if the body is tired or in pain? I believe that receiving advanced coaching without maintaining advanced physical condition would be pointless. So, what should be done? First and foremost, I suggest improving the range of motion of each major joint. Today, I'll introduce one of them: a method to improve the movement of the scapulae.
◆ TAD's Exercise: Stiff Shoulders! ◆You'll need an armchair.
- Sit on the armchair and place your hands on the arms to support your body (lifting your buttocks off the chair with your arms).
- In this position, keep your elbows extended and relax your shoulders.
- Lower only the upper body, imagining the inner side of the scapulae stretching.
- Hold for about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Lift your body again and repeat the motion of stretching the inner side of the scapulae 2-3 times. Try stretching the inner side of the scapulae using various locations and tools, not just an armchair.
I hope this helps!