Ankle Dorsiflexion:
So, many people will think you are crazy if you tell them that you are going to fix their shoulder injury simply by fixing their poor ankle dorsiflexion. And, to a certain degree they’re right.
We cannot say that a shoulder injury is completely due to a lack of dorsiflexion. We also can’t say that that if an athlete has sustained a shoulder injury and they have come to you for help that simply fixing their dorsiflexion will fix their shoulder.
As we have talked, everything in the body is connected through the kinetic chain. Everything in that chain begins when an athlete’s foot touches the ground. The link between the shoulder and the ankle works like this…
- The foundation for the shoulder joint is the scapula. This is well documented. Basically, the rotator cuff stabilizes the humeral head against the glenoid and keeps the joint stable. The muscles of the rotator cuff originate on the scapula (the foundation).
- The scapula is designed to be very stable and not move very much during athletic upper body movements. The scapula relys on a collective group of muscles referred to as the “scapular stabilizers” (rhomboids, mid/lower traps, lats, to name a few) to limit the motion of the scapula to provide a stable foundation for the rotator cuff. If the scapular stabilizers are weak or not firing correctly, the foundation stinks, thus the shoulder stinks.
- EMG studies have shown that there is a direct connection between the scapular stabilizers and the glute on the opposite side of the body (i.e. left shoulder is related to the right glute). This happens through the Thoracolumbar Fascia which works diagonally accross the back. So, if the glute doesn’t work well, the scapular stabilizers on the opposing side won’t work well.
- There is a direct connection between an athlete’s ability to dorsiflex and fire their glute. If they can’t dorsiflex well, they can’t fire their glute well.
Quick and easy explanation…
Keep in mind that this connection is not the end all be all. Meaning that while it is important to keep in mind, fixing the ankle will not necessarily fix the shoulder, because of the number of links in the chain. So, you need to make sure you fix everything in the chain between the two areas as well. But, on the other hand, if they have a restricted ankle, the shoulder will not be as healthy as it should be.
If you’ve ever worked with a stubborn, difficult shoulder that just doesn’t seem to improve, this is probably the missing magic bullet.
To learn more about increasing ankle dorsiflexion, click here…
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Teresa Corley, I see the connection here you are talking about . I believe my body was telling me something about how I was using my upper body, when I started having problems and pain in my feet. I thought it was the shoes, because of my work requires me to be on my feet all the time ( Nursing assistant). I went through all kinds of foot wear that year without much relief, one day my shoulder and neck were so stiff and aching.? Then down through my hips down to my ankles?. I have been working with a osteopathic Dr. And some physical therapy ( what my insurance would help with) and some message threapy for over a year. Now I am on my own to get my body firing right again. Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Yoga will seriously help. I went to a number of doctors and specialists, and nothing fixed my issues as fast and thoroughly as yoga. I’ve reconstructed my body and corrected all the weird imbalances it developed from this issue. And I can do it free in my living room on my own time.
What poses did you do? Just curious, I am also having issues with my glute not firing & scapula issues. Now this might be answer to some of it.
So bizarre, I have exactly these issues! I was a college volleyball player and so I know I have over worked my left shoulder getting left handed, but I also have right gluteal problems and was just at the chiropractor yesterday for it. Interesting.