Dooley Noted: 12/29/2015
I’m a fan of correctives to enhance performance and decrease the chance of injury.
But what do you do when the correctives don’t work?
It happens – and it happened to me.
At this time last year, I couldn’t post my arm like this baby in a bodyweight getup.
Searing pain spiraled down my arm, ending at my elbow.
Knowing my anatomy well, I did some radial nerve releases and neck and shoulder decompressive strategies.
They failed to help.
I promptly went to get assessed and corrected.
First, I tried movement. I saw four different therapists over 5 months. Nothing helped.
I thought my problem could have been a systemic issue manifesting in the nervous system.
So I had full blood work taken.
Everything was within normal limits.
I saw two different acupuncturists, who diagnosed me with consistent patterns that could be treatable with herbs and acupuncture for the long-haul.
But, again, I experienced no symptomatic relief.
In the five months, I did not stop training.
Instead, my program was modified by the professionals with whom I worked. As we worked around my injury, I found myself building strength in places I never had, including my abdomen and the non-affected arm, my classically “weaker” left side.
As the left side caught up with the right, I left for a trip to Australia in March. I hit my head soon after getting off the plane, resulting in a very scary concussion.
But after the concussive symptoms resided, my arm pain had vanished.
The right arm pain give me time to actually build strength where I needed it most: in the opposite side arm and abdomen.
Now, I can’t distinguish a strong arm, and I no longer have arm pain.
One year later, I am doing 28 kg get ups bilaterally for multiple sets.
Yesterday it was five! Next time, it will be more.
If the assessments and corrections didn’t work this time, still get assessed and corrected. They’ve worked many times for me and many times for my patients.
I’m glad I had all that knowledge behind me to point out the weaknesses I carried on the affected side.
And remember: if you have an injury, you can see it as opportunity to build authentic strength in places it may be needed elsewhere.
As always, it’s your call.
-Dr. Kathy Dooley