PoleVaultPower.com

So...this should PROBABLY go in the "general" but I figured this should go here bc most people deal with this during vault season...and I dealt with it during vault.

So...my shoulders and neck are ALWAYS tight.
They get tons of "knots" in them
Any ideas on how to get rid of them?

I think it's bc a.i carry a TON of stuff at school...I have to...I can't get to my locker except 2-3 times a day [morning, lunch, afterschool] and b. I have a minor, minor case of scoliosis. [They didnt do anything last time...it doesnt impact me immensely.]

A hot bath helps SLIGHTLY, but not very much. I've tried stretching and massaging...it works, but only very briefly. It's gotten to the point where my mother rubs my shoulders nearly every day and afterwords, not much has changed.

Any ideas? they're a pain in the neck, no pun intended!

deep tissue massage?

1. Take a vacation.
2. See a doctor.
3. See a massage therapist.
4. Stretch at least twice daily.

I am working on a non-employed student's budget. No money for that.
I have to find a way to pay for part of the camp...all money goes to that, at least right now.

1. I am taking several this summer.
2. Not until my physical...it's only been for a few weeks...probably the stress of the end of the year.
3. Again...nonemployed student's budget. And I can't drive.
4. I am.

*sigh*
=:(

birdi_gurlie wrote:I am working on a non-employed student's budget. No money for that.
I have to find a way to pay for part of the camp...all money goes to that, at least right now.

1. I am taking several this summer.
2. Not until my physical...it's only been for a few weeks...probably the stress of the end of the year.
3. Again...nonemployed student's budget. And I can't drive.
4. I am.

*sigh*
=:(

Sometimes extended medical benefits cover massages and chiro adjustments. Also be aware that chiros work on your muscles as well as your bones and joints ... in case you have coverage for chiros but not massages!

Check with your parents if they have this coverage with their employer.

Kirk

Are you stressed at school? Do you have a lot on your mind? The summer should be good for you. Try to relax, take some yoga or other relaxing exercises. Vacation is good. If it's stress, its a matter of clearing your schedule and feeling in control of what you are doing each day. Stress can cause tense muscles. This winter my g/f broke up with me, finals week kicked up, and we had our first intersquad meet the week before finals that i had barely any good vault days before it. My calf actually cramped up before we jumped, and the trainer told me it was probably the result of stress.

I've had knots in my back/shoulders for 10+ years, it's not really that big of a deal. You can probably get at a lot of them yourself by laying down and digging your thumbs in. If there are spots you can't reach, roll around on a tennis ball.

If they are bugging you much, see a sports massage therapist or a chiropractor. A doctor is just going to tell you to quit carrying such a heavy backpack and quit stressing. Maybe he'll say take ibuprofen, and if he is prescription happy he'll prescribe a muscle relaxer, but that is way overkill.

I don't think the doctor or massage therapist is necessary at the moment. Plus, I dont think it is.

I know knots aren't THAT big of a deal, but they've been hurting so badly lately...its annoying. And I know that that's what the doctor would tell me, so no use.

And yeah, I have a ton on my mind. I've always had a ton on my mind...my brain goes INSANELY fast. My coach was talking with two ex-vaulters [well, one still vaults just not for our school] and he was like, "yeah...her mouth goes that fast [I talk REALLY fast sometimes] and the scary thing is...her brain goes even faster...her mouth can't keep up with her brain..." It's about a lot of stuff. Grades in one class, some friend-drama, some friends are dealing with some big issues, etc... it's just everything. Yeah...I'm going on vacation some and I really do feel in control of a lot of things, but my brain just does racecar laps...it's always done that.

Haha i feel ya on that one. It only gets worse in College. breeeaaattthheeee . Smokke some weed or something (j/k... that's no good).

But seriously, find a way to vent when things get tough, whether you have tight muscles or not. Sports and pole vaulting used to do it for me, but it became a source of stress. I golf, listen to music, read, go on vacations (when available), go to church and pray, among other things. I'd suggest finding something you love doing that gets you away from it all, and do it more often. Along with tennis ball massages .

I've found some things...one of my friends has REALLY helped a lot with my other friends's issues...he's been there before, and though it's not an experience I'd wish on anyone, I'm glad that he can use that to help with this situation.
I listen to music, draw, and write poems [though, oddly, they all turn out depressing...which is odd bc about 3/4 of them have nothing to do with anything in my life at ALL, I just find some random line in a book or whatever and it gets me writing about that. And the other 1/4, well, they're not about my issues. But I digress.]. Running SOMETIMES helps, depending on what's going on. I pray a LOT...I'm working on getting into the word more.
Either way, it helps with the stress but not nec. the tight muscles from stress. :/

lol.

I don't know abot everyone else, but sometimes music tends to calm me down. When its nice (or even rainy) its always relaxing to just turn on the good old ipod and play some light music while looking at the sky.

Ever consider those vibrating back massagers? They cost between $10-25 dollars and are pretty cost effective in the long run. I borrow my dad's all the time and it helps to get out the kinks and knots in the shoulders and middle back region.

Also stress balls, punching bags, etc. always keep you loose!

It's not the "calming down" that's the problem...I'm used to that by now...I've always dealt with that.

My parents have one, but it doesnt work on me...its too forceful and the handle itself vibrates.

I don't have either of those. I'm gonna start working out again though...and I might do some gymnastics once or twice a week.