06/03/2023
Despite being left-handed, I have been struggling with pain in my right arm for 6 months now and have been diagnosed with tennis elbow (nope, I do not play tennis!). The physio has suggested it’s linked to my dropped shoulder which is lower than it should be and rotated forward thanks to scoliosis in my thoracic spine. So, I’ve started lifting weights to strengthen my deltoids and help draw my shoulder back.
This isn’t the first time my curvature has caused me problems, and despite the pain I have a lot to thank it for! Before taking up Pilates about 5 years ago, my shoulder pain was chronic, and I used to have to drive with my right arm behind my back as it was too painful to hold the steering wheel. Regular classes helped with the pain enormously and I rarely experience shoulder pain these days. One thing I’ve learned through teaching is that location of muscular-skeletal pain is often different from the cause, so it’s important to identify any imbalances that can indicate under or over recruitment of muscles.
Now, even as a qualified Pilates instructor, I’m still learning to listen to my own body and improve my posture – my body is very good at telling me if I’m not moving efficiently. So I will be adapting my lessons for a while to avoid aggravating my elbow, and will hopefully be feeling stronger in a month or two # scoliosis
