Comments on: The Sleeper Stretch: Essential to Shoulder Health http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/ Strength training, Personal training, Warbird Academy, DBSP, Bloomington IL Fri, 18 May 2012 13:42:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dan Blewett http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-3898 Dan Blewett Wed, 16 May 2012 04:45:56 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-3898 Jack, I wish I could help, but I'm not really sure. I do have a very high awareness and some conscious control of many of my shoulder muscles, but I can't say I've experienced that tightness or strange feeling you describe. You could try some soft tissue on the tight spots - working a baseball or lacrosse ball into the spot as a self-massage. Sorry I couldn't be more help, but thanks for reading. Dan Jack,

I wish I could help, but I’m not really sure. I do have a very high awareness and some conscious control of many of my shoulder muscles, but I can’t say I’ve experienced that tightness or strange feeling you describe. You could try some soft tissue on the tight spots – working a baseball or lacrosse ball into the spot as a self-massage. Sorry I couldn’t be more help, but thanks for reading. Dan

]]> By: Jack http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-3824 Jack Fri, 11 May 2012 04:57:31 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-3824 You have a awesome blog, so helpful and well informed. I have a minor shoulder injury from serving in tennis. I got an MRI and everything was fine except for some very minimal inflammation. My shoulder does not hurt, but it just feels strange, not quite right. I have been doing the blackburns as shown on your blog and they seem to be helping a bit. I went to a PT and she said my shoulder didn't look too bad but that my supraspinatus was very tight and even slightly contracted and she recommneded these stretches. I just started doing them and now it seems that strange feeling might be GIRD as you stated above. I don't have pain but something feels off and when I do those sleeper stretches I am super tight and right after I do these stretches that strange feeling seems more noticable although not in a bad way. Do you think that it is possible a feeling of tightness is what is making my shoulder feel strange but I just don't really recognize it as tightness because I am not as aware of the muscles of my rotator cuff the same way I am with a something like my hamstrings? You seem to have lots of experiecne in this area so I would really appreciate your opinion and any advice you can offer. You have a awesome blog, so helpful and well informed. I have a minor shoulder injury from serving in tennis. I got an MRI and everything was fine except for some very minimal inflammation. My shoulder does not hurt, but it just feels strange, not quite right. I have been doing the blackburns as shown on your blog and they seem to be helping a bit. I went to a PT and she said my shoulder didn’t look too bad but that my supraspinatus was very tight and even slightly contracted and she recommneded these stretches. I just started doing them and now it seems that strange feeling might be GIRD as you stated above. I don’t have pain but something feels off and when I do those sleeper stretches I am super tight and right after I do these stretches that strange feeling seems more noticable although not in a bad way. Do you think that it is possible a feeling of tightness is what is making my shoulder feel strange but I just don’t really recognize it as tightness because I am not as aware of the muscles of my rotator cuff the same way I am with a something like my hamstrings? You seem to have lots of experiecne in this area so I would really appreciate your opinion and any advice you can offer.

]]> By: Dan Blewett http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-3590 Dan Blewett Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:30:14 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-3590 Julie, thanks for the additions. I'm not a physical therapist, so I do appreciate it. And yes, I go after people at times. Rude folks should be prepared to defend themselves if they want to step into someone else's domain and be disrespectful. Yet, my combative responses likely won't change the behavior of such people, anyway. Thanks! Julie, thanks for the additions. I’m not a physical therapist, so I do appreciate it. And yes, I go after people at times. Rude folks should be prepared to defend themselves if they want to step into someone else’s domain and be disrespectful. Yet, my combative responses likely won’t change the behavior of such people, anyway. Thanks!

]]> By: julie http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-3587 julie Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:37:16 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-3587 Very nice explanation of the sleeper, which is frequently done wrong. I'd like to add 1) that 100% of athletes should not be doing this exercise. Those who have impingement syndromes or posterior instabilities need to be identified. If you are not able to do this in good conscience, then be aware that you may aggravate their problems. 2) For those who do have posterior capsular tightness, you can also make excellent gains with a proper horizontal adduction stretch. 3) Dan, you may want to reconsider how you respond to rudeness. Very nice explanation of the sleeper, which is frequently done wrong. I’d like to add 1) that 100% of athletes should not be doing this exercise. Those who have impingement syndromes or posterior instabilities need to be identified. If you are not able to do this in good conscience, then be aware that you may aggravate their problems. 2) For those who do have posterior capsular tightness, you can also make excellent gains with a proper horizontal adduction stretch. 3) Dan, you may want to reconsider how you respond to rudeness.

]]> By: Dan Blewett http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-3212 Dan Blewett Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:26:57 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-3212 I strongly doubt <em>anyone</em> can put palm to floor with a stabilized capsule, shoulder blades pinched. I'd also guarantee the local swim team does these improperly in that regard, like 99% of the athlete world. Thanks for the rude tone in your comment; I've watched likely a thousand athletes do this stretch among my training and playing career, but you're obviously the expert. I strongly doubt anyone can put palm to floor with a stabilized capsule, shoulder blades pinched. I’d also guarantee the local swim team does these improperly in that regard, like 99% of the athlete world. Thanks for the rude tone in your comment; I’ve watched likely a thousand athletes do this stretch among my training and playing career, but you’re obviously the expert.

]]> By: Michael http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-3211 Michael Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:59:39 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-3211 Dan- No one can put their palm to the floor on the sleeper stretch, really? Go ask your local swim team to perform the sleeper stretch for you. Dan- No one can put their palm to the floor on the sleeper stretch, really? Go ask your local swim team to perform the sleeper stretch for you.

]]> By: Monika http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-3162 Monika Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:28:12 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-3162 great article sir.. helped me tons for ma project :) great article sir.. helped me tons for ma project :)

]]> By: The BEST Way to Perform the Sleeper Stretch! « Nick Tumminello Fitness | Baltimore Personal Trainer | Men's Health Best Personal Trainer http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-25 The BEST Way to Perform the Sleeper Stretch! « Nick Tumminello Fitness | Baltimore Personal Trainer | Men's Health Best Personal Trainer Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:25:24 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-25 [...] are many sites that discuss the sleeper stretch. But, in my opinion, Dan Blewett has by far the best and most thorough description of how to safely and effectively stretch the [...] [...] are many sites that discuss the sleeper stretch. But, in my opinion, Dan Blewett has by far the best and most thorough description of how to safely and effectively stretch the [...]

]]> By: eugene seditaf http://danblewett.com/2009/06/the-sleeper-stretch-essential-to-shoulder-health/comment-page-1/#comment-24 eugene seditaf Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:58:00 +0000 http://danblewett.com/?p=98#comment-24 Great job, very clear explication of proper form and benefit and checking for bilateral symmetry in the ROM. Sets and reps, thorough and understandable. Shoulder blades together. Good form equals good payback. Thanks much, gene Great job, very clear explication of proper form and benefit and checking for bilateral symmetry in the ROM. Sets and reps, thorough and understandable. Shoulder blades together. Good form equals good payback. Thanks much, gene

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