Hi I have a client 30 yr female with essential tremors. Her head has constant shaking with a right head tilt. She is in continues motion and because of this she has serious upper shoulder/back/neck posterior tightness. She can not relax in order to even stretch. 24/7 muscle pain. Do you have any experience in this area? She is on medication which has helped with her hands but not the upper body. SI don’t think she is a classic upper cross syndrome case either. ......She has a forward head posture with weak chest muscles (never used - never). Thoughts? Patty

Hi Patty,

This is way out of my league. I think she needs a physical therapist or a pain specialist if she is in pain 24/7. I think she is classic case of neuropathic pain. Did she ever go to a physcial therpist or a pain specialist?

And it probably has nothing to do with upper crossed syndrome. I would say is the pain probably is causing the upper crossed syndrome; It is usually called Antalgic postures or movements.

I would have her do some calisthenics, like arm swings, shoulder rotations, just those basic stuff just to get that blood moving in those nerves. Don’t even think of using weights for these patients ( maybe some light weights depends on how severe the jerking is). Get her to enjoy working out and just being around with you. And there is no real need to static stretch. It doesn’t help much with pain. Dynamic movements can stretch the muscles too.

Keep me updated pls

thanks - She has had this 25 years and has been everywhere. It just seems to be getting worse as she ages. I told her I would ask you because I have failth in your answers.
(I don’t trust too many to give me a REAL “not for financial benefit” answer).  If you look up Essential Tremors there is not much out there (must not be a money making disease) in way of constructive information even from the “professionals”.  A PT never really did anything for her long term. She is seeing a chiropractor right now and he has her doing light basic stretches (nothing to inspiring or related to her condition) and yesterday she was too tight to even have an adjustment. The chiro could not manipulator her spine.  I find it very interesting and I really see how medicine is all a guessing game. She is continuing to come to me but her next health step is acupuncture, Botox injection and if that does not work DMS (brain surgery). Who said Personal training was going to be about lifting weights! EVERYONE who comes to me has such issues. All very interesting and really makes me feel connected to the real world and I feel so fortunate. Go to youtube if you want to see what I’m talking about. Thanks for letting me vent!

hanks - She has had this 25 years and has been everywhere. It just seems to be getting worse as she ages. I told her I would ask you because I have failth in your answers.
(I don’t trust too many to give me a REAL “not for financial benefit” answer).  If you look up Essential Tremors there is not much out there (must not be a money making disease) in way of constructive information even from the “professionals”.  A PT never really did anything for her long term. She is seeing a chiropractor right now and he has her doing light basic stretches (nothing to inspiring or related to her condition) and yesterday she was too tight to even have an adjustment. The chiro could not manipulator her spine.  I find it very interesting and I really see how medicine is all a guessing game. She is continuing to come to me but her next health step is acupuncture, Botox injection and if that does not work DMS (brain surgery). Who said Personal training was going to be about lifting weights! EVERYONE who comes to me has such issues. All very interesting and really makes me feel connected to the real world and I feel so fortunate. Go to youtube if you want to see what I’m talking about. Thanks for letting me vent!

Thanks for having faith even though I am not of much help here. What’s your email, patty?

And chiropractic would do nothing for her neurological disorders if that’s what she is hoping. And if the chiropractor thinks he can, he sure is trying to make some money out of her. If he can, then he can treat parkinson’s and other neurological problems. If she is getting some pain relief, that’s good though.

Hi -
my email is: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
She is going to Chiropractor for pain relief (which really does not help) as she also has Spine issues.
While we are on the topic of the brain (ie:neurological problems)..... Have you heard of Brain Fitness in regards to our industry????  Are we hearing about this more (ie: mind games….etc) due to the the baby boomers? As for being a Personal Trainers -  are we looking down the road to incorporate this Brain Fitness into our clients Programs?

my email is: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
She is going to Chiropractor for pain relief (which really does not help) as she also has Spine issues.
While we are on the topic of the brain (ie:neurological problems)..... Have you heard of Brain Fitness in regards to our industry????  Are we hearing about this more (ie: mind games….etc) due to the the baby boomers? As for being a Personal Trainers -  are we looking down the road to incorporate this Brain Fitness into our clients Programs?

Hi Patty,

I have read a bit about the recent development in brain science and it’s just fascinating to say the least. And the program is backed up by some sold research and the guy behind is one of the pioneers in the field. It is rare to see a researcher of his caliber to bring something which has a lot of practical implications. You might want to check this book” The Brain that changes itself”.

From what I have read, the changes do not seem to last that long after using those programs. But it is indeed a paradigm shift in our thinking about brain and how it works.

Thanks - I will take a look at the book. So how does this apply to my day to day job??? Do I incorporate brain fitness into my clients current programs the way I include cardio and flexibility??? Explain practical implications a little more if possible.  Side NOTE -  Have you heard of Turbulence Training - a guy named Craig?? Is he decent or just another online marketing guy. Packaging the same stuff in a difference package and then over promoting himself?  Sorry to go off the path - I’m going to bed and did not want to start a new post…

Thanks - I will take a look at the book. So how does this apply to my day to day job??? Do I incorporate brain fitness into my clients current programs the way I include cardio and flexibility??? Explain practical implications a little more if possible.

Sure, why not? It talks about how people improve their golf game and tennis and how they can drive better. I think it will be great for your personal training. But If I remember it right, you have to do it 4-5 days/week; so I am not sure how you are going to incorporate it into their schedule.

Have you heard of Turbulence Training - a guy named Craig?? Is he decent or just another online marketing guy. Packaging the same stuff in a difference package and then over promoting himself?  Sorry to go off the path - I’m going to bed and did not want to start a new post…

I have heard about it, but not enough to give an opinion. It’s one of those circuit programs with weights, like a depletion workout. I think Alwyn Cosgrove have something similar called the afterburn. They are all based on the theory that weight training burns more calories posworkout than cardio - called the ripple effect.

In regards to “posworkout than cardio - called the ripple effect” - do you agree with the theory and or use it? My 80 year golfing client is asking me all about it because a Flexibility Instructor “Roger Fredercks” promoted it. Is it something for an 80 yr old?

When it comes to the “ripple effect” (I’m assuming it’s the same as EPOC) it doesn’t burn as much as people think. Most of the calories you burn is during the work out itself, a few studies have found very long EPOC of up to 24 hours, but most find only small ones for a few hours.

If resistance training is more effective for weight loss, I doubt it’s because of EPOC.