The REAL Reason Pressing Weights Overhead Hurts
Raise your hand if you’ve heard this one…
“Pressing weights overhead is bad for your shoulder.”
Here’s why this is BAD advice….
You want to be able to press weights overhead, right?
You want to be able to reach that top shelf?
Play with your kiddos (or fur babies)?
Wash your hair?
Well, then my friends, we need to keep you pressing weights overhead.
The REAL Reason this advice pressing overhead gets dubbed as “bad” movement is based off an ancient misnomer in the research world. Yep, there is NO research that proves that reaching overhead, lifting weights overhead or doing ANYTHING overhead is bad for your shoulder.
If you’re having pain with things overhead, our job is to find a SOLUTION.
So, on that note…
Here are the top 3 causes for pain with lifting or reaching overhead, and what you can do about them:
Tightness through the front of the shoulder
Our pec (chest) muscles, when tight, will limit our overhead movement and make it painful. Focusing on opening the front of the chest and strengthening our back muscles is key.
Thoracic spine mobility
In order to have full overhead mobility, our mid-back (or thoracic spine) has to be able to move well. Since many of us sit for a good bit of the day, this can be a challenge to maintain without the right tools. Once you know how to keep this area mobile, it can be quite simple, though!
Sub optimal shoulder rotation
Did you know your shoulder joint rotates as you move? If that rotation isn’t moving like your shoulder needs - there will be pain with overhead movements. The solution here is finding exercises that challenge the rotational muscles in your shoulders to balance it out!
Shoulder pain with lifting overhead can be scary, overwhelming and frustrating - but it doesn’t have to be! With the right tools, you can continue lifting weights overhead without fear!
CLICK BELOW FOR A QUICK WAY TO SCREEN YOUR THORACIC MOBILITY!
If you’re having shoulder pain that’s preventing you from doing what you love, reach out! I’d be so happy to speak with you.
