Tag: Neck and shoulder pain

I notice my dancers and fighters struggle to get their arms over their head. Most likely this is due to rounded, stooped posture of Parkinson’s. In addition to tight chest muscles, tight Latissimus dorsi “Lats” are most likely a culprit in this limited motion.

Latissimus dorsi means “broadest muscle of the back,” is one of the widest muscles in the human body. It is a very thin triangular muscle. It has many widespread origins and runs obliquely, superiorly and laterally through the back and armpits to insert on the back side of the upper arm. The lats also connect to the lumbar spine, and assist with lower back movements. Continue reading “How to Roll Out Your Lats for Parkinson’s Tight Shoulders”

“Kimberly, my back hurts and I think my posture is getting worse, what can I do?” I get asked this all the time.

As I’ve mentioned in my earlier blog posts on foam roller exercises, Parkinson’s disease causes you to flex forward, creating a host of problems but most certainly back pain. You can use a foam roller to facilitate some great extension improving pain and posture.

Foam rolling is a form of self-myofascial release. In previous posts, I’ve demonstrated myofascial release with soft ball on the chest and feet.

Watch the video below on how you can safely use a foam roller to help with Parkinson’s poor posture: Continue reading “How to Safely Improve Parkinson’s Stooped Posture and Back Pain Using a Foam Roller”