One of the most common injuries that Pilates Instructors see is Shoulder Injuries. The injuries can be for any number of reasons: Torn Rotator Cuff, Bursitis, just a general ache over the cap of the shoulder, or loss of strength when lifting items overhead. Once a client has been OK'd by their Doctor to participate in Pilates, we begin by creating a session where we avoid any exercises that affect the shoulder. Our aim is to increase circulation, to create better posture and assess the ability and range of the shoulder.

Once we can see that the client is ready to begin working with the shoulder as well, there are some general guidelines that we work by in order to help the process of healing or prevent a recurring injury. These are:

 

Align posture so the chest is more open and the shoulder falls more aligned.
Strengthen upper back, so that aligned shoulders and correct posture are more easily attained.
Introduce the Latts to the client, so that they know the difference between "Shoulders around their ears vs. shoulders down".
Gently stretch the neck.
Strengthen and Stretch specific shoulder muscles, rotator cuff, Triceps, Latts, Deltoids.
Teach proper technique for lifting the arm above the head, then how to lift objects above head from the Powerhouse.
Do closed chain exercises for the shoulder to help strengthen the shoulder stabilizers.
Strengthen and Stretch the shoulder below shoulder heighth, so as not to put undo stress on the shoulder joint.

Using these guidelines, Pilates instructor’s ensure that their sessions will be safe and productive for their clients with Shoulder Injuries. Clients must remember that it takes time and effort to heal an injury. And that one must continually strengthen and stretch the shoulder and neck to avoid recurrence.

One of my clients, who came to me with 2 torn Rotator Cuffs in her shoulder, was unable to lift her arm above shoulder heighth. After 6 months of Pilates, she began to use her shoulder correctly and could then lift the arm above her shoulder towards her head. Now it has been many years since her injuries and she has full range of her shoulders. But, she works at keeping her range at least 3 times a week. Her posture has changed completely, where once she almost looked as if she had a Dowager's hump, she now stands very tall, with sternum lifted and neck and shoulders moving freely. The other side benefit, she looks younger now, then when she began many years ago.