Experience In practice since 1990. Two years on staff at a hospital Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.
Publications Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, American Journal of Pain Management, Somatics: Magazine-Journal of the Mind-Body Arts and Sciences. More complete listing at somatics.com/gold.htm
Education/Credentials Certifications: Hanna Somatic Education, the Dr. Ida P. Rolf method of Structural Integration (partial list)
Question My right arm begins to really ache whenever I am using it in a raised position, such as using the hair dryer, or doing something that requires me to raise my arms above my head. The left arm particularly gets weak and aches. I have no numbness or tingling. It subsides within a minute after I bring my arms down. It's a rather debilitating ache (meaning I have to stop what I'm doing)and makes the arm weak. I am 73 years of age and otherwise in pretty good physical health. I have no trouble lifting something up and carrying heavy loads. I do sleep on my sides mostly and not on my back.
Thanks for any clues. LB
Answer Lola,
The aching sounds like muscle fatigue -- either from muscular tensions from below the shoulder that interfere with lifting or from decreased circulation, or both.
A practical action you can take is to do a short-term program to improve flexibility.
I recommend a program that eliminates residual muscular tensions and improves movement: The Cat Stretch (Overcoming the Myth of Aging) at http://www.somatics.com/page7.htm. It's a program I recorded, developed by Thomas Hanna, Ph.D.
By the way, it's not a case of "use it or lose it"; it's a case of overactivity in inadvertent actions that interfere with what we mean to do.
