Multi-directional instability of the shoulder can be a difficult diagnosis for the overhead athlete wanting to participate in volleyball, baseball, softball, and tennis. The associated pain with this diagnosis often sidelines athletes for significant amounts of time and this is one of the most common diagnoses seen at Carolina Sports Clinic physical therapy in Charlotte, NC.
Traditional rehab for multidirectional instability of the shoulder focuses in theraband exercises intended to strengthen the tiny muscles that make up the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is four muscles that together work to stabilize the shoulder joint.
These traditional exercises do build some strength for the rotator cuff but don’t address its true function or providing stabilization. For that reason, the team at Carolina Sports Clinic physical therapy in Charlotte, NC has a much different approach to treating Multi-Directional Instability in the Overhead Athlete.
Our rehab program focuses on intensely challenging the athlete’s ability to stabilize the shoulder, thus addressing the rotator cuff’s true function and directly challenging the athlete’s problem.
If you are dealing with shoulder instability problems, start with some of the following movements that will train the muscles of your shoulder girdle to reflexively stabilize the joint, and help you get back to sports sooner! These are some of the top drills employed by the team at Carolina Sports Clinic physical therapy in Charlotte, NC
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEOLSWWBEyR/?taken-by=thebarbellphysio
In the first drill, the athlete has his or her hands on an unstable surface such as a BOSU ball while the other arms makes a “snow angel” type movement. This challenges the shoulders of both arms simultaneously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM6AX06ly5Y
The next drill, performed with a partner, trains the athlete to reflexively stabilize the shoulder. Because the arm is held high overhead, it makes a fantastic drill for treating Multi-Directional Instability in the Overhead Athlete.
Call Carolina Sports Clinic physical therapy in Charlotte, NC t (704) 544-5353 if you have any questions about your pain that wasn’t answered in this article.