Welcome back to the blog! If you tuned in on Monday, you probably read a tale of how yours truly strained her pectoral and lat muscles to the point of serious pain and restriction. If you missed it, feel free to read about that injury here. All agony aside though, we also talked about how setting the right mental framework can help us begin the healing process. Patience, above all else, is a requirement not just to heal from an injury but also to avoid an injury in the first place. Sometimes, it may take a week or longer to truly be reset from a painful set back. Nevertheless, when we are patient, and when we continue to do the right things consistently over time, we will find that we will become stronger and more resilient than before.
Now, since you all have been so patient, let’s get down to business and talk about three stretches that will help you get out of pain 🙂
The first drill we are going to cover here is a myofascial release (soft muscle tissue release) tactic. Grab a tennis ball instead of your foam roller today and pay attention to the video below. This drill will definitely roll out knots in your shoulders, traps, and pectoral muscles. Check out the video below for more details!
Now that we worked out the knots into the chest, traps, and shoulders, let’s work on those pulled lats. Check out the next video to learn an active stretch that will release tension down into the lat muscle.
Alright everybody! By now, you should be feeling much less tense and all the more relaxed. I have one last stretch for you all that will release your strained pectoral muscle. All you need for this is a nice and friendly door frame ;). Check out the video below to learn how to relax your pectoral muscles.
Well done folks! I hope this post helps you work out any knots, tension patterns, and strain you may have fallen prey to from due to training. Please feel free to email about the videos above or with any questions you have about how to work through tense muscles at janelle@primalfitnesspittsburgh.com. Stay tuned too! On Friday we are going to wrap up this three part series with what to expect after rehabbing, resting, and relaxing after an injury. Be on the look out for some serious strength gains on this blog and in your own life as well!
Master your instincts!
Janelle Pica, RKC and PMF1 Instructor
