If you place your fingers along your collarbone near the sternum and make those movements you will see what I mean. The collarbone is moving in relation to the sternum. The action at that joint can be clearly felt because the collarbone lies just under the skin. If you place your fingertips on the collarbone near the end where it joins the shoulder blade and do the movements of raising your shoulders, bringing your shoulders forward, dropping your shoulders pulling your shoulders back, you will find your fingertips moving with the collarbone in swoopy circles. If you then place your fingertips on your upper shoulder blade as you do those movements you will learn how much the shoulder blade moves, and how good it feels to let it move. The accurate mapping of the joint of the collarbone with the sternum is critical for free upper torso and arm movement. If that joint is not mapped, it is not used. It is held rigid and does not contribute its share of movement when it is needed, as in pullups, pushups, overhead presses, rowing, wallballs…basically any movement that involves the arms. This forces a disproportionate amount of movement onto the second arm joint, the joint of the upper arm with the shoulder blade. That disproportion is a source of strain in activities that require repetitive use of all four arm joints.
Do you want to have smoother moving, stronger, mobile arms and be able to do mad pullups and overhead presses? Start by finding that joint where the collarbone meets the sternum. It’s called the sternoclavicular joint. Explore the movements from the paragraph above often throughout the day. When you wake up, when you shower, when warming up before a WOD. Whenever you think about it. It is a crucial piece in moving your arms efficiently. Remember, the arms begin at the sternum, not the shoulder.
If you have any questions about what the heck I am talking about, grab me when you see me at the box. I love showing people who are interested in moving more efficiently. Next month we will cover the second joint of the arm. Where it belongs in relation to the side of the body and it’s role in what’s called humeroscapular rhythm. Get excited about this one!
To contact Rich, either give him a call at
503-939-2524 or email him at rroskopf@beavertoncrossfit.com.
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