Neck And Shoulder Stiffness

[old] AntarcticGirl · Post by **[old] AntarcticGirl** » October 18th, 2005, 8:38 pm

Hi everyone, I am new to message boards, so thought I would kick of my involvement by asking a question..... I get a stiffness in my lower neck, between my shoulder blades during and after rowing. I am sure that it has something to do with technique and/or hunching my back, but I can't identify what. When I consciously keep my back straight, I don't notice any difference. Any ideas why this happens, or things I can try out to fix it? Thanks Antarctic Girl*

[old] Niels Sawman · Post by **[old] Niels Sawman** » October 21st, 2005, 4:58 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(AntarcticGirl @ Oct 19 2005, 02:38 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Hi everyone, I am new to message boards, so thought I would kick of my involvement by asking a question..... I get a stiffness in my lower neck, between my shoulder blades during and after rowing. I am sure that it has something to do with technique and/or hunching my back, but I can't identify what. When I consciously keep my back straight, I don't notice any difference. Any ideas why this happens, or things I can try out to fix it? Thanks Antarctic Girl* </td></tr></table> HI AG It is allways risky to give health adwise on the net, but I'll try anyhow. Your stiffnes in your lower neck and between the shoulders could be a result of too much tension. When rowing both on water and in the ER You should do it in a relaxed way. It is a mixture of relaxation and big effort. When You start rowing You should do it by beginning with a good warm up period og at least 10 minutes with a 500 m split time depending of your shape, size and age. A good adwise is that You should be abel to chit chat when You warm up. When You warm up have full concentration on your neck and back. Fokus on a straight back and feel how your shoulderblades move. The most important is that your body is build to work and that pain is a sign that something is wrong. But when you do a nice warm up you tell your body that work is coming, You prepare it to work. I'm sorry that I cannot be more specifik, if any of this makes sense then write again.

[old] R S T · Post by **[old] R S T** » October 21st, 2005, 5:06 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(AntarcticGirl @ Oct 19 2005, 12:38 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Hi everyone, I am new to message boards, so thought I would kick of my involvement by asking a question..... I get a stiffness in my lower neck, between my shoulder blades during and after rowing. I am sure that it has something to do with technique and/or hunching my back, but I can't identify what. When I consciously keep my back straight, I don't notice any difference. Any ideas why this happens, or things I can try out to fix it? Thanks Antarctic Girl* </td></tr></table> Hi AntarticGirl I sometimes get stiffness on one side of my neck - I know this has nothing to do with my rowing, or rather, it has everything to do with rowing and watching a TV screen just off centre from the erg monitor. I mention this just in case you happen to be doing this. Cheers RichardT

[old] Niels Sawman · Post by **[old] Niels Sawman** » October 21st, 2005, 5:15 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(R S T @ Oct 21 2005, 11:06 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(AntarcticGirl @ Oct 19 2005, 12:38 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Hi everyone, I am new to message boards, so thought I would kick of my involvement by asking a question..... I get a stiffness in my lower neck, between my shoulder blades during and after rowing. I am sure that it has something to do with technique and/or hunching my back, but I can't identify what. When I consciously keep my back straight, I don't notice any difference. Any ideas why this happens, or things I can try out to fix it? Thanks Antarctic Girl* </td></tr></table> Hi AntarticGirl I sometimes get stiffness on one side of my neck - I know this has nothing to do with my rowing, or rather, it has everything to do with rowing and watching a TV screen just off centre from the erg monitor. I mention this just in case you happen to be doing this. Cheers RichardT </td></tr></table> Year - there can be a hundred explanations of neck and shoulder stiffness. There is only one solution. When you do your exersize - then have full fokus on the exersice. Allthough it is extremely boring just to watch your monitor and fokus on the 500 m splittime. I think if you need entertainment, then ajust your ER so that it points directly towards the TV screen. I would love to have a TV screen, but our rtowing club is very small - only about 80 members - and we haven't got the money for it.

[old] Annabassand · Post by **[old] Annabassand** » October 21st, 2005, 8:24 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(Niels Sawman @ Oct 21 2005, 10:15 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(R S T @ Oct 21 2005, 11:06 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(AntarcticGirl @ Oct 19 2005, 12:38 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Hi everyone, I am new to message boards, so thought I would kick of my involvement by asking a question..... I get a stiffness in my lower neck, between my shoulder blades during and after rowing. I am sure that it has something to do with technique and/or hunching my back, but I can't identify what. When I consciously keep my back straight, I don't notice any difference. Any ideas why this happens, or things I can try out to fix it? Thanks Antarctic Girl* </td></tr></table> Hi AntarticGirl I sometimes get stiffness on one side of my neck - I know this has nothing to do with my rowing, or rather, it has everything to do with rowing and watching a TV screen just off centre from the erg monitor. I mention this just in case you happen to be doing this. Cheers RichardT </td></tr></table> Year - there can be a hundred explanations of neck and shoulder stiffness. There is only one solution. When you do your exersize - then have full fokus on the exersice. Allthough it is extremely boring just to watch your monitor and fokus on the 500 m splittime. I think if you need entertainment, then ajust your ER so that it points directly towards the TV screen. I would love to have a TV screen, but our rtowing club is very small - only about 80 members - and we haven't got the money for it. </td></tr></table> Hi I had some problems with shoulder stiffness when I just started out in August, but it is a lot better now, so if you're just starting out, that could be the reason. /Anna

[old] neilb · Post by **[old] neilb** » October 22nd, 2005, 12:18 pm

When I started I had some tightness/stiffness between my shoulder blades towards the end of longer rows (40 min+) but after a time as my storke became better and more relaxed this is no longer a problem even at 60 min+. Also butt ache faded away as well. I suspect that learning to row with nice upright posture, forearms horizontal, chain kept level, hands just used as hooks, head upright looking ahead, shoulders down and relaxed and a on my face (hardest part) made a difference. Neil

[old] AntarcticGirl · Post by **[old] AntarcticGirl** » October 24th, 2005, 8:51 am

Wow guys, Thanks for all the comments - some interseting stuff. The TV may be involved. After I started the thread I did pay more attention to what I was doing during warm up and it seems to have paid off. 8km the other day which was fairly pain free - just knackered afterwards!

[old] Mike Caviston · Post by **[old] Mike Caviston** » October 24th, 2005, 2:16 pm

I have to ask – are you really in Antarctica? That’s pretty cool (no pun intended). I’ve always been fascinated by polar exploration and anything related. If you are so inclined, I’d love to hear about any aspect of your stay. Do many people use the ergometer at your station, or is it like just about everywhere else in the world where the ergs are largely ignored except by a select few? Anyway, happy rowing! Mike Caviston

[old] Jim Barry · Post by **[old] Jim Barry** » October 24th, 2005, 3:34 pm

Nice house you got there! <img src='http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/Living_and_ ... halley.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> <img src='http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/Living_and_ ... age009.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> Years ago friends we were visiting in the UK took us to their parents house outside Cambridge. Their father was the director of the British Antarctic Survey. I was like a kid with questions and he was more than happy to go over the stories (and bore his kids). Based back in Cambridge he was less happy than the days spent in the field. My only taste of the arctic was a winter camping trip where the temps dipped to record lows in Maine. Stillest, most starlit night I ever saw. Whiskey will gel at 35 below zero was our only science, however. Back to topic: I use a orthopedic pillow to sort out my neck. Suppose that is not easy living in one of the most remote locations on the planet.

[old] AntarcticGirl · Post by **[old] AntarcticGirl** » October 25th, 2005, 7:52 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I have to ask – are you really in Antarctica? That’s pretty cool (no pun intended). I’ve always been fascinated by polar exploration and anything related. If you are so inclined, I’d love to hear about any aspect of your stay. Do many people use the ergometer at your station, or is it like just about everywhere else in the world where the ergs are largely ignored except by a select few? Anyway, happy rowing! Mike Caviston </td></tr></table> Yep, I really am in Antarctica, working for the British Antarctic Survey. I live at Halley Station, the building in the pictures that Jim has posted has been my home since 2003. Unfortunately my tour will be over in March 2006. We have only had the internet since the beginning of 2005, and then it took me a few months to find concept2.com. The Summer Solstice Half Marathon was a big motivator here, although we actually rowed on June 20th - the 21st is our equivalent to Christmas, so there was far too much food & alcohol involved to comtemplate rowing! The erg goes through phases of popualrity, at it's height there were 7 out of the 16 of us fighting for time on it. At the moment it is only really me, and one or two others. Hope that answers some of those questions.... I am more than happy to talk about Antarctica.... so don't hesitate to quiz me.... maybe I should set up another post?? Vanessa* PS. For non-rowing activities check out: <a href='http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/Living_and_ ... /index.php' target='_blank'>http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/Living_and_ ... dex.php</a>

[old] Mike Caviston · Post by **[old] Mike Caviston** » October 25th, 2005, 2:30 pm

Vanessa, Thanks for your response and for posting the link to the Antarctic Survey. I will enjoy reading about your team’s activities and may have questions in the future. I am familiar with most of the erg records from other continents. What is the current Antarctic 2K record? Best wishes, Mike Caviston

[old] jamesg · Post by **[old] jamesg** » October 26th, 2005, 6:51 am

Antarctic Girl, When erging we move fore and aft quite fast, and so have to accelerate our heads in these directions. This leads to inertial forces in our necks, somewhat unusual, and the faster the action, the higher the forces - and heads are quite heavy. I noticed this when I did a 500 race at rating 35 for the first time, and got a pain in the neck, and I think it could be a possible cause for you too. Simple remedy - drop the rating to say 20-25 according to your height, and rather than pull a lot of short sharp strokes, pull fewer longer slower ones. Less pain, more gain. You can feel the effect just by rocking quickly to and fro when seated. I've also seen people wave their heads when erging, again back and forth. To be avoided, as also turning the head sideways, which could put some very unusual loads on the neck.

[old] RickMan · Post by **[old] RickMan** » October 26th, 2005, 11:39 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(jamesg @ Oct 26 2005, 06:51 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Antarctic Girl, When erging we move fore and aft quite fast, and so have to accelerate our heads in these directions. This leads to inertial forces in our necks, somewhat unusual, and the faster the action, the higher the forces - and heads are quite heavy. I noticed this when I did a 500 race at rating 35 for the first time, and got a pain in the neck, and I think it could be a possible cause for you too. Simple remedy - drop the rating to say 20-25 according to your height, and rather than pull a lot of short sharp strokes, pull fewer longer slower ones. Less pain, more gain. You can feel the effect just by rocking quickly to and fro when seated. I've also seen people wave their heads when erging, again back and forth. To be avoided, as also turning the head sideways, which could put some very unusual loads on the neck. </td></tr></table> What I sometimes do is close my eyes for a minute or two. After a little while, the whole body seems to align based on what it feels instead of what it sees. It is something you can do while rowing that you can't walking or running (for obvious reasons). It gives a sense of what the neck (and the whole body) is supposed to do in relation to the movement of the stroke without the eyes having to stay fixated on anything (which causes a certain tension on the neck, and I find in a lot of the body). It's also kind of cool because it sort of feels like you are sleeping while rowing... I think using this technique could help you find out if the tension is from this concept of visual fixation, or something else...

[old] AntarcticGirl · Post by **[old] AntarcticGirl** » October 27th, 2005, 12:57 pm

Thanks Jamesg and Rickman for your suggestions, I hadn't thought about the physics of throwing your head back and forth. I do try to keep my stroke rate down, but maybe I need to work on making my 23's a bit more natural and my norm. I am a 25-28 girl most of the time (I don't know how short you are meant to be before upping the strokes, but I am a wee 163 cm and 56 kg) I will try the eyes shut technique when I am next on the erg, I like the idea of feeling as though you are sleeping while rowing - does it make your dream times come true too?? As for the Antarctic 2 km record, I cannot say what the absolute record for all the research stations is; but at Halley Craig with 6:48.3 is our man - I think that is his quickest anyway.

[old] michaelb · Post by **[old] michaelb** » October 27th, 2005, 1:32 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'>QUOTE(AntarcticGirl @ Oct 27 2005, 11:57 AM)</div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>As for the Antarctic 2 km record, I cannot say what the absolute record for all the research stations is; but at Halley Craig with 6:48.3 is our man - I think that is his quickest anyway. </td></tr></table> Any chance that you could hook up the C2 to a computer and get online with rowpro? It would be an interesting way to connect with the outside world. With the talk in the other thread about promoting C2 more, I was thinking we could try a stunt like the "Seven Continents Online Row". I am pretty sure we have someone online from Asia, and regulars from the other 5. I don't know if anything like that has ever been done before (a simultaneous sporting event with competitors on 7 continents). Searching wikipedia, I realize that not everyone on those continents agrees we have seven, and not 6 or 5 or 4, but anyway, it could be fun and if promoted, could get picked up as a story. Digital rowing would have to design a flag though for Antartica, and that may have all sorts of political and legal issues.

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