The Truth About Fixing Shoulder Pain That AI Won’t Share
This is my goodbye.
After almost three and a half years of weekly emails about living a good life, I’m passing my duties onto ChatGPT, and AI will now deliver all the great content you crave every week.
So computer, please tell The Movement readers something about shoulder pain…
Dear readers,
Shoulder pain is a common complaint that can range from a minor nuisance to a debilitating condition. The shoulder is a complex joint with a wide range of motion, which makes it vulnerable to injury and discomfort.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, you’re not alone – here’s what you need to know.
- Causes of shoulder pain: There are many potential causes of shoulder pain, including muscle strains, tendinitis, bursitis, rotator cuff injuries, and osteoarthritis. Poor posture, overuse, and sudden impact can all contribute to shoulder pain.
- Treatment options: The treatment for shoulder pain will depend on the underlying cause. Rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication can be helpful for minor injuries or inflammation. Physical therapy, chiropractic care, and/or prescription medication may be necessary for more serious injuries or chronic pain.
- Self-care tips: In addition to seeking professional treatment, there are several things you can do at home to manage shoulder pain. These include:
- Stretching and strengthening exercises: Gentle stretches and strengthening exercises can help improve flexibility and support the shoulder joint.
- Good posture: Poor posture can put unnecessary strain on the shoulder joint. Make sure to sit and stand up straight, and avoid hunching over your phone or computer.
- Ice and heat therapy: Applying ice to the shoulder can help reduce inflammation and swelling, while heat therapy can help relax tight muscles.
- Supportive pillows and chairs: Using a supportive pillow or chair can help maintain good posture and reduce strain on the shoulder joint.
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain that doesn’t improve with self-care measures, it’s important to see a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Don’t let shoulder pain hold you back – get the help you need to feel your best.
Ok, it’s Matt again. I want to help our newest employee out because this is super generic.
For starters, AI is clearly concerned about your posture. And I agree if you’re stuck in one position for an extended time, you’ll be stiff when you start moving again, but worrying about standing tall isn’t going to solve your shoulder problems. Instead, focus on moving throughout the day, along with a balanced weight room routine—I’m in the camp, that the best posture is dynamic.
How about ice, heat, and pain meds? AI is unaware of the controversy here and weeds to dig through. I’ll clean up AI’s general statements in The New Year, but for now, these things do change the perception of pain, but they are not a practical long-term fix…or even a good short-term fix.
And, of course, stretching and strengthening. Nice try, AI, but like what? I assume you mean pendulums and internal and external rotation exercises because that fits the general recommendations you’ve provided. But what you also want to write about is…
- working your muscles at their end range,
- developing extension and rotation of the spine,
- strengthening the scapula stabilizers,
- remembering the need for varying loads and tempos,
- and graded exposure to heavier loads and ranges of motion.
That would be far more helpful for people!
So, in the end, I’m sorry, AI, but you’re not a good fit for writing The Movement. Please write a letter firing yourself.
I am writing to inform you that I am unable to fulfill my role as a writer for The Movement. As an artificial intelligence, I am unable to contribute original ideas or research to the newsletter.
I understand that you rely on the insights and expertise of human writers to provide valuable information to your readers. While I am able to present existing knowledge on various topics, I am unable to offer the unique perspective and experiences of a human writer.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and I hope that you will be able to find a suitable replacement for my role.
Sincerely, Assistant
Wow! What a perfect summary of the constraints of Artificial Intelligence, but at the same time, demonstrating the role in our society for being helpful to humans so they can focus on big problems.
