Answers (9)
As a trainer there really is no class or certification that will help you deal with such an undiagnosed problem. I am a Registered Nurse and CES, but would feel this is out of my domain. If you cannot get him to see a doctor or physical therapist I feel you need to avoid any type of exercise that aggravates this, or you are putting yourself at liability. I would especially avoid shoulder presses and pushups. Trying to work the area without really knowing what is wrong or what may aggravate it may only make it worse. It is certainly possible that he dislocates his shoulder easily, which is actually a pretty minor problem, but if he has something like frozen shoulder than no trainer is qualified to treat it unless under the direct instruction of a physician and/or physical therapist. If you really cannot get him to budge, I would only work cardio (and no swimming, elliptical, rowing, etc) lower body and core with him. Maybe if you tell him that he would agree to get it diagnosed.
Hi Lisa,
I also hold several corrective exercise certifications but your scenario is beyond the scope of practice of any one of them. Janet put it well enough: only work on the body parts far removed from the shoulder and impress on him the importance on having it checked out. He may be afraid to hear what he does not want to hear but he cannot put this responsibility on your shoulders.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
I also hold several corrective exercise certifications but your scenario is beyond the scope of practice of any one of them. Janet put it well enough: only work on the body parts far removed from the shoulder and impress on him the importance on having it checked out. He may be afraid to hear what he does not want to hear but he cannot put this responsibility on your shoulders.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Lisa,
Try to refer him to a Muscle Activation Therapist in your area. These guys can really work on issues like the one your client has. You and your client has nothing to lose by trying it out:
www.muscleactivation.com
I hope this helps.
Best,
Harris
Try to refer him to a Muscle Activation Therapist in your area. These guys can really work on issues like the one your client has. You and your client has nothing to lose by trying it out:
www.muscleactivation.com
I hope this helps.
Best,
Harris
Quite frankly, I would not begin working with this client without a physicians clearance. If I was already working with a client and this situation arose, I would suspend training until the client got clearance. The potential harm to the shoulder must be evaluated. Even for doing exercises that don't involve this shoulder, continuing without clearance could result in unintended use and injury of the shoulder.
In the meantime, there are courses available for learning more about shoulder injury and shoulder stabiity. But even with this knowledge, personal trainers must require that the client is cleared to work with us.
In the meantime, there are courses available for learning more about shoulder injury and shoulder stabiity. But even with this knowledge, personal trainers must require that the client is cleared to work with us.
Hi Lisa,
I agree with Martin that he needs to have a physician/ortho look at his shoulder. There's no guessing here, he needs a doctor who can diagnose the situation--not just treat the symptoms.
There are just too many issues that can affect the shoulder. Continuing to train him without knowing exactly what his injuries are could lead to further damage.
It's always best to get a definitive answer.
Christine
I agree with Martin that he needs to have a physician/ortho look at his shoulder. There's no guessing here, he needs a doctor who can diagnose the situation--not just treat the symptoms.
There are just too many issues that can affect the shoulder. Continuing to train him without knowing exactly what his injuries are could lead to further damage.
It's always best to get a definitive answer.
Christine
I also agree that a physician will need to clear this person. His symptoms are similar to a frozen shoulder syndrome, but without knowing for sure it's hard to tell. An MD would most likely prescribe for him some PT and that might be the way to go about it. 10 years is a long time to have this type of issue. As I mentioned in my previous answer a MAT therapist could be very helpful with this type of issue, a MD diagnosis would be the first step to consider (the MD might even refer him to a MAT therapist).
Hi Lisa,
I'm with the room on this one. Your guy needs to see an Orthopedic Doc & get to the bottom of that. Things like that don't usually get better by ignoring them - especially shoulders. I would be working around it in the meantime until he gets it looked at. I'd stay away from overhead presses & dips - anything where he feels discomfort. Convince him that he's probably going to be dealing with it forever if he wants to keep training and continues to ignore it. He's had this going on for 10 years? And I thought I was bad seeing doctors when I should! Good luck Lisa.
Paul Thomas
www.homeworkoutguy.com
I'm with the room on this one. Your guy needs to see an Orthopedic Doc & get to the bottom of that. Things like that don't usually get better by ignoring them - especially shoulders. I would be working around it in the meantime until he gets it looked at. I'd stay away from overhead presses & dips - anything where he feels discomfort. Convince him that he's probably going to be dealing with it forever if he wants to keep training and continues to ignore it. He's had this going on for 10 years? And I thought I was bad seeing doctors when I should! Good luck Lisa.
Paul Thomas
www.homeworkoutguy.com
A few things
Make sure your Certification is up to date, on your profile page it says agency unavailable.
Also I would not work with this client until he gets proper medical attention.
If something truly traumatic happens under your watch you may be liable.
Make sure your Certification is up to date, on your profile page it says agency unavailable.
Also I would not work with this client until he gets proper medical attention.
If something truly traumatic happens under your watch you may be liable.