Thread: Teaching while recovering from an injury

Searched the old threads and didn't find one on this topic so here goes:

A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with a rotator cuff impingement (yes, it is as unpleasant as it sounds). The injury is not from dancing but from sitting at a computer 40 hours a week for the last 10+ years. Had my fourth physical therapy appointment today and the area is still inflamed. My therapist insisted that I keep my arms below shoulder level until the inflammation is under control. The problem is that I teach three Tribal Style classes each week and the arm positions are mostly shoulder-level and above. Am considering inviting my troupemates and/or advanced students to demonstrate the movements for the beginner and mixed-level students. I'd pay them or trade for classes, of course. Any other suggestions?

That sounds like a good plan. I've been teaching with a rotator cuff issue for about 2 months now -- just beginning to recover, really.

I put a hold on all veilwork until I'm healed, and I often demonstrate with my one good arm and ask the students to 'do as I say, not as I do.' The baby beginners really need someone to watch, but the more advanced students can figure it out.

Here's some general rotator cuff advice that's helped me a LOT.

1) Keep the top of the armbone moved back in the shoulder socket, toward the back of the body. This is a really small movement, it's been the single biggest factor in pain management for me!

2) When you must raise your arm (say, to shoulder level if you won't go above) move the top of the armbone back, as above, and rotate the arm so your palm is forward (thumb out rather than toward the leg). This action helped so much!!

Do take care, it takes a long time to heal from this. One of my students, a massage therapist, showed my daughter how to massage around the shoulder blade & top of the shoulder, which really helped with a lot of the 'extra' pain that develops around that area.

Oh...and Biofreeze is magical!! Spray it on, pain goes away. The only caveat is it's easy to overdo/reinjure while the area is pain-free, so stay cautious!

Thanks for the advice, Lauren. The main issue with my shoulder is that the head of the humerus is sitting too far forward. Once the inflammation goes away, my PT will manipulate it so it sits in the correct place and then give me exercises to strengthen the muscles to keep everything in place. Recovery will definitely take time. :-/

My advanced students are really good and will have no problem doing as I say, not as I do. It's my baby dancers (6 new students in the last two weeks!) that I'm worried about. Of course, this may be a blessing in disguise. If I have one of my advanced dancers demo-ing up front, I can walk around more and work one-on-one with the newer dancers. Trying hard to stay positive about this! :)

My PT recommended MSM lotion with glucosamine chondroitin and arnica. Picked some up last night. It's great stuff. :)

Originally Posted by kjespelien

My PT recommended MSM lotion with glucosamine chondroitin and arnica. Picked some up last night. It's great stuff. :)

Mmmm, I'll watch for that, thanks!