Shoulder Arthritis Case Study

Name: Ritu Bahl

Age: 54

Profession: CEO

Initial Challenges: Upon starting her new exercise regimen with me she complained of shoulder pain in which, after a doctor visit, was confirmed as an osteophyte (bone spur) in her shoulder joint.

Personalized Training Approach

Assessment and Goal Setting: In cases of injury I educate clients that these problematic areas must go to the top of our list before we focus on other goals of theirs. In the case of osteoarthritis the first thing we need to do is check shoulder joint range of motion, locate any painful positions and/or motions. These two assessments provide the important information we need to design a pain-free customized exercise plan. The goal with arthritis symptoms is always PAIN-FREE exercise selection which can take a bit of healthy trial-and-error.
Customized Plan: We found some muscles that seemed to provide relief when intentionally stimulated such as rotator cuff muscles and the muscles of the back (latissimus dorsi and friends). During the initial phases of this plan we stayed away from common pressing patterns as they created some discomfort.

Support and Guidance: We use a simple progress, regress, or abort philosophy when training clients so communicating with Ritu during and after each session was a vital part of our plan. As her shoulder pain started to go away after a few weeks of exercise we started to progress back into less restricted exercise selection to train all her shoulder muscles again.
Results Achieved

Physical Improvements: Within a few weeks symptoms of shoulder pain started to go away and more deliberate shoulder training was tested. We brought back pressing patterns which initially caused pain, with pain-free success!

Mental and Emotional Benefits: This process has really helped Ritu to value what a powerful tool correct exercise is as someone who historically did not resistance train. Relief of not having shoulder pain daily while running her business helps her focus on the important decisions she needs to make each day and not be distracted by arthritis discomfort.
Overall Impact: Now it’s been a few years of consistent training and we rarely even have to address any symptoms of arthritis in her shoulder joint. Which begs the question: how much of your arthritis symptoms may just be due to muscular deconditioning that can be improved with the right custom-fit exercise plan?