I am writing a series of articles about the use of Postural Restoration™ to treat various types of injuries specific to athletes and sports.  This week I am discussing volleyball injuries, primarily problems and pathomechanics that occur in the shoulder region.  Repetitive spiking and serving, which occurs over a season places tremendous pressure through the shoulder joint.  There is a need for an athlete's ribcage and shoulder blades to be in neutral and as symmetrical as possible in order to withstand these forces and to prevent injury.  Postural restoration addresses the need for the spine, ribcage and most often the right shoulder blade in a right handed hitter to be in the best position to avoid common problems such as bicipital tendonitis, various types of impingements, and rotator cuff issues.  Setters are not immune to injury especially if they lack ROM in either of their shoulders and compensate by arching their back excessively in order to get under the ball to produce a good set.  This is again the result of faulty mechanics of the thoracic spine and ribcage, and the overuse of certain back muscles that contribute to problems that may occur.  The Postural Restoration Institute™ in Lincoln, NE has been an integral part of preventing and treating injuries for volleyball athletes at UNL.  It is beyond the scope of this article to fully explain the science and reasoning behind this therapeutic system so please visit:  www.posturalrestoration.com for more information.  Next week I will be discussing baseball.  Stay tuned and until then . . .

Yours in health,

Val