From Pain to Performance: JB’s Journey to Shoulder Recovery
When JB first walked into my office, the discomfort was written all over his body. He was bent to one side, gripping his shoulder tightly—his movements rigid and guarded. I soon learned the full extent of his suffering: JB had barely slept for two weeks. His pain was so intense that he could only lie down for 5 to 15 minutes before the burning and aching in his shoulder and neck forced him to get up and walk around.
Understanding the Root Cause
During our initial assessment, I took JB’s history, which included reconstructive surgery on the shoulder that was now causing him such severe pain. I performed a range of motion and postural assessment and quickly identified the likely culprit: impingement of the subscapular nerve, along with potential involvement of the brachial plexus.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originate in the spinal cord and branch out to the shoulder, arm, and hand. An impingement in this area can lead to deep, burning pain, muscle weakness, and a host of mobility issues.
The Treatment Process
When JB first laid down on the table, the pain was immediate and intense—so much so that he had to stand up and move around before we could continue. Once his discomfort subsided, we laid him on his side and began our work.
We started by pumping the falcon form ligament, which runs between the clavicle and the scapula. This gentle manipulation allowed JB to remain still for nearly 20 minutes—an incredible improvement from the 5 to 15 minutes he had managed before.
From there, we moved to the subscapular joint, where the subscapular nerve is located. The gentle, targeted work brought him even further relief. We then proceeded to pump the glenohumeral joint, as the subscapular nerve branches and passes through here as well.
After about 45 minutes of manual therapy, JB was able to lie comfortably and experience significant pain relief. It was time to introduce some movement.
Integrating Movement: The Key to Lasting Relief
Movement is critical for recovery, especially when dealing with nerve impingement. The first exercise I introduced to JB was a nerve flossing technique for the glenohumeral joint. This allowed him to gently stretch and mobilize the nerve, reducing inflammation and pain.
Next, we practiced the Standing ELDOA, a unique stretching method that lengthens the neural complex and decompresses the spine and surrounding structures. By the end of the 50-minute session, JB’s pain had dropped from a 9 out of 10 to a 3 out of 10. Even better, he was able to sleep through the night—a major milestone in his recovery.
Follow-Up and Further Progress
When JB returned for his second session a week later, he was mostly pain-free, rating it at a 2 out of 10 with mild discomfort only in his tricep—another branch of the subscapular nerve. We focused on manual therapy for the clavicle and the cervical spine, which are critical regions for the brachial plexus. This nerve bundle originates around C4 and extends to T1, playing a major role in arm and hand function.
To support the manual work, I taught JB how to perform ELDOA for the clavicles and the thoracic spine. These exercises are designed to decompress the vertebrae, improving nerve function and relieving tension.
After the session, JB was completely pain-free.
Testimonial:
“I was unable to do anything from sitting to sleeping without being in unbearable shoulder and back pain. TJ identified and explained the issue, provided therapeutic massage, and pain-relieving exercises. After the first session and the exercises he sent me home with (recorded on your phone for easy review), I was finally able to feel normal again. I cannot recommend him enough!”
What’s Next? From Pain Relief to Performance
Now that JB is pain-free, we are ready to move on to the next stage: Performance Training. This phase will not only solidify his recovery but also elevate his strength, stability, and overall shoulder health. We will continue to integrate rehabilitative techniques for his neck and shoulder while advancing into strength and conditioning specific to JB’s lifestyle and needs.
Pain is only the first barrier. At Pierce Family Wellness, we don’t just stop at relief; we move our clients into performance and longevity.
Would you like to learn more about how these techniques can help you transition from pain to performance? Reach out to schedule your assessment.
TJ Pierce
Pierce Family Wellness – Helping People Get Out of Pain and Into Performance & Longevity
