I recently met a new client with chronic right shoulder, elbow, and hand pain, likely caused by her job as a barista. My approach focused on strengthening the entire extremity and improving mechanics. A previous Physio informed her that she should be only be resting and she wanted to know why our approaches were so different.

I explained that her tissues were being overloaded by her work, because they didn't have the capacity to keep up. The solution was to prepare her tissues for the repetitive strain of her duties by raising her threshold and making her more resilient. This was especially justified as her issue was chronic, she was no longer tender to touch, and she had already tried resting, to no avail. 

So how do we raise your threshold? With progressive loading and exposure to different motions and positions. It's physically preparing you for what you need to do. Our bodies are designed to move and resting doesn't make you stronger, more limber, or increase your endurance. Brief periods of rest can be justified, but shouldn't be prolonged nor should it be your whole treatment plan.  

October 27 2020