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Gauging Progress
I usually gauge my progress by how I feel on a good day. On a bad day, I can still have quite a bit of pain and it can be pretty discouraging. Time goes by so fast, a month's worth of work is nothing, and I usually don't notice that much progress in a month's time.
The discouraging thing is, even after all the progress that I've made, I can still only do a small fraction of what a normal person can do. That's just the way it is. Like Dirty Harry says, "A man's got to know his limitations". |
A Pretty Good Day Today
Today was pretty good, as far as my movement, and pain levels. One of the best that I've had in many years, so that's encouraging, but I won't get cocky, because it never lasts very long. A good day, is what keeps me going, though. I try to always look for the positive. I've had so many negative people in my my life, and I've done so much better since I've distanced myself from them.
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Myofascial Release
I've been able to get pretty aggressive with the self-myofascial release. Mainly using a lacrosse ball, a spikey ball, and a rake handle. Over time I've been able to get deeper and deeper into the fascia and my movement is gradually improving. This is a long haul.
When I first started this, I found a girl online that reversed her fibromyalgia pain, and she said it took about five years. I'm at about 44 months myself right now, so five years probably sounds about right. |
45 Months of Joint Mobility
I'm at the 45 month mark now of working on my mobility, and still making progress. The mobility in my shoulders is starting to get pretty darn good. Probably the best I can ever remember it being. In general, the more mobility I seem to reclaim, the less my pain levels are. I'm not pain-free, but it sure beats how I used to be.
A physical therapist I once went to, told me I was one of the tightest people she had ever seen. If that's really the case, when it comes to reclaiming mobility, I guess that means I know more, from experience, than most people on the planet. One thing I do know, is, most people don't seem to understand what I'm talking about. I'm going to try and keep beating the importance of mobility into people's heads. Most people don't get it, or simply don't care about it. |
Great to hear, Coop! I have stopped all exercise for now because I flared myself pretty badly with some attempts. Seeing the doc on Wed.
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Posture and Movement are Everything
The longer I work at this, this is what I see. Good posture and good movement seemed to go hand in hand. The better my movement gets, the better my posture seems to be.
Reversing chronic pain takes a long time, though. It's getting close to four years now, in my case, and it's a roller-coaster ride. There's a lot of ups and downs. I think people expect a quick fix for this stuff, and it takes time. Whole body movement is key, in my experience. All of the people that teach functional movement say that. Pain-free movement is number one. Strengthening only comes when you move well without any pain. I don't do any strengthening, still working on movement. Most people don't understand that. That includes therapists. |
Mid Back Bain
My shoulders are starting to move pretty good and my hips are starting to move pretty good. I am having some mid back pain, however. I think that my spine is still tight in that area and it's one of last things to start loosening up. I'm working on it daily, trying to restore the curve to my spine. I'm starting to get pretty stoked about the progress I've made. There's no doubt in my mind that the things I'm doing would help many people, but you have to be pretty obsessed to make it work.
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My pain in the upper arm was drastically reduced with the pec minor release. Sensitivity around the elbow sounds like it my be ulnar nerve compression. A neurologist can do a nerve conduction test to pinpoint this and I hear that surgery is relatively minor one to three week recovery. |
Movement before Nutrition
I've tried many different diets and nutritional supplements over the years, but I never noticed much difference in my pain levels. In my experience, movement is number one. Joint mobility exercises, self-myofascial release, and vacuum cupping are what have helped me the most. It's a slow process, though, and the pain gets worse, before it starts getting better.
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Another Flare
Having another flare at the moment. I guess I'll never be smart enough to completely figure this out. Even though I've made a lot of progress, when I have a flare, I still feel like crap. Pain is pain.
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47 months
I've been working on my mobility for 47 months now. In the last couple of months it doesn't seem like I've made that much progress. I've had some big flares and it gets pretty discouraging because I can't really exercise until they calm down. Sometimes that can take three or four weeks. Hopefully, I can get back on track.
In last three or four days, I've felt a little bit better and have been able to start doing some myofascial release again. This is my favorite for the chest and pec minor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnPx4...XEYG4&index=13 |
Finally Getting Back on Track
Improvements come so slowly, and a flare-up can waste a whole month because I have to stop exercising until it calms down. I just have to keep getting up and keep moving forward, no matter how many times I get knocked down. The progress is still coming but not in a straight line.
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4 Years
It's hard to believe I've been working on my mobility for four years now. I have no idea how many hours that I've spent doing joint mobility exercises, self-myofascial release, and vacuum cupping, but it's paying off. In the last several weeks I've made good progress. I've had TOS for about 34 years now so improvements come very slowly.
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49 1/2 Months
I've been working on mobility and movement for 49 1/2 months now. Time goes by so fast. I'm still making small, gradual improvements though!
I used to spend a lot of time throughout the day lying in bed because of pain but I don't lie down during the day that much anymore. Chronic pain can be reversed but it's a VERY SLOW process. |
Opinions Vary
Opinions Vary. That's starting to be one of my favorite comments. My pain levels and movement are still improving after 50 months of hard work. If I'd have listened to all the negative comments I've gotten from people I would've gotten nowhere. Avoid negative people and think for yourself!
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51 Months and Still Improving
I'm at the 51 month mark and still making progress. Joint mobility, self-myofascial release, and vacuum cupping are what work for me. The difference between mobility and stretching is, you just move to the tension and then pull away a few times. You don't hold it there like to do in a regular stretch. It's what works for me. The stubborn areas I use self-myofascial release and vacuum cupping on. Persistence is everything and don't listen to all the negative stuff and know-it-alls.
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Almost 52 months and Still Improving
Still making progress and getting near the 52 month mark. I'm being realistic. I never expect to be pain-free but I am happy for small, gradual improvements. Been making a lot of videos lately. It's much easier for me to talk than type. Stop by my YouTube channel and check it out!:)
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Vacuum Cupping the Neck and Shoulders
I'm doing some vacuum cupping tonight on my neck and shoulders. This, along with joint mobility exercises and self-myofascial release are the 3 things that help me the most. After 34 years of this, improvements come very slowly, but they are possible. I've done a lot of videos about this stuff. If you're interested here's the link. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgD...Dq9nfko80swHVA
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54 Months and Still Improving
4 1/2 years I've been working at this now. 34 years with TOS and a failed surgery 23 years ago but I'm feeling the best that I've felt in many years. Improvements come very slowly after so many years and I've had a lot of setbacks but I keep at it. Patience and persistence are everything. Sometimes flare-ups can really slow down progress and set things back. I've learned not to be greedy and just be happy with whatever small improvements that I make.
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56 Months of Mobility Work Now!
I've been working on my mobility for 56 month's now and I'm feeling a little bit better all the time. I'm not pain-free but I'm moving and feeling better than I have in many years! I recently bought these little wooden massage tools that are really helpful for working on the neck and forearm muscles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1KOeMnXHdE |
Coop42, I have been reading about your progress with fascination.
Could you quantify the improvement you got so far? (E.g. pain level on an average day went from 8 for 10 hours to 2 for 5 hours). I am also wondering how much time on average you spend per day doing your exercises. |
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I'm not sure exactly how long I spend exercising each day but I feel like it's become a habit, or instinct. Some days it's more than other's but I don't really think about it that much. |
Video Update on my Progess
I just did this video update on my progress. Feel free to ask questions. I'll do my best to answer. Also, the video has 3 views, and 2 thumbs downs, so I guess my haters are back. Any thumbs up would be appreciated! :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIP8y78SmG4
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Why would anyone thumb down your video? Pathetic trolling for no reason.
BTW, your right shoulder is lower than the left. Have you tried strengthening your muscles to raise it? |
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I dont get it either. Here you are, despite your daily challenges, helping people and its downvoted? I hope its just idle minds at work, weird even so.
About the shoulder, things i have learnt, the dominant arm (if you are right handed), is usually set lower than the other - also folks tend to scrunch more on that leg lowering that side of the body. In my case, the depressed shoulder was also because of "switched off" lower muscles. As i attempt to activate them, the shoulder has elevated and reduced some pain/discomfort. weak stabilisation muscles, mean weak rotator cuff as well. that means arms may protrude out of the socket further impinging nerves. its all related. |
I agree with you that it's all related. As I get better movement throughout my body, the less my pain seems to be. Improvements come very slowly though.
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Having a Flare
This is actually the first flare that I've had in month's. It's uncomfortable but no where near the type of pain that I used to have. Hopefully, it won't last as long either!
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Getting my Facts Straight
I just realized that this thread has been going for close to 4 years now. The nice thing for me, is a can come here and check my facts, before I make a video, to make sure it is as accurate as possible. It's kind of an online journal for me.
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5 Years Already!
I'm still improving after 5 years! Rather than type, I made an update video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URMInGYSzuM
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Last Flare
It looks like my last flare was 4 months ago. Not too bad. I've been playing around with a 5 pound club in the last week or so. So far, so good. Hopefully, I can make some club videos soon if nothing goes wrong.
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Glad to hear you are doing well, Coop42.
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New Video
I did this video today with a 1 pound indian club. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf1fVdkvUl8
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Thanks for the video. This may be a good exercise to try as you don't actually use the muscles much as you would with a dumbbell.
I tried it without a club first as I may regret it tomorrow :) |
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New Video on Pain Killers
Just my rant about pain killers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM3FxddSMYg
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Shoulder Mobility Video
Just did this video on shoulder mobility. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CGjmgvm9ik
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This Thread Started 4 Years Ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsMPqP7hxRk
People have asked if this is still about Scott Sonnon's joint mobility program. It is. That's where I got started along with Sharon Butler's TOS program. I recommend you watch Scott's video link I posted in the beginning. I've combined their ideas, and my intuition, along with vacuum cupping, and self-massage, and it's worked well for me. Although very slowly, over time. Some things you have to fix yourself. |
Anxiety and Chronic Pain
Made this video today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFkVHT-YmFs
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5 Years and 3 Month's Now
Still improving after more than 5 years now! Here's an update video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UESiyT5h-nM
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