Trainer Mike T Nelson Testimonial: Shoulder Pain While Doing A Bench Press Gone!

The Night I “Couldn’t” Bench Press By Dave “The Athlete Creator” Sandel

Just like every other Tuesday, it was bench press night with Mike. However, this Tuesday was different. I sent him an email earlier in the day stating:

“Tonight might be prehab/rehab for me. I was feeling just a touch of shoulder pain in my left shoulder after last week, and it was worse after training last night. This is, unless, your voodoo works again.”

So, I showed up at the usual time, did my usual Z-health CNS warm-up, and did some push-ups to test my shoulder. Push-ups tested fine and without pain. I thought, “Hmm, maybe everything will be alright tonight.”

Then it was my turn to warm-up with the empty bar. After a few slow, pain-free, concentrated reps I decided to try exploding a rep off my chest. That nearly caused my left arm to collapse because of the shooting pain in my left shoulder, just as I had felt before.

After a brief description of the previous night’s workout, Mike put his head down and started mumbling something to himself. Something about external rotation, abduction, sagittal planes, and some other stuff I didn’t quite recognize (eventhough I’m studying for my CSCS certification).

After a minute or so he finally had his answer. We started with some z-health mobility work directly on the shoulder, and then tested it out on the bench. It was better, but still not pain-free.

This is where it got a little weird…

He had me lie on my back, internally rotate my right leg (remember, my left shoulder is what was hurting), and perform cross-body leg circles. After a few tests doing band pull-aparts, we decided to try it out on the bench.

Lo and behold, I was virtually pain-free!

He explained what the drill was doing and why it works. I understood all of that, and it made perfect sense.

Now, I know there is a direct connection between opposite-side joints, but I still can’t wrap my head around why a “trauma” to my right hip is causing pain in my left shoulder. Oh well, I’ll leave that for another visit.

In the end, you’re probably wondering how my bench press session went.

Well, as I stated in the beginning, I walked in thinking I was going to be doing some mobility and prehab/rehab work all night. As it turns out, I actually ended up bench pressing 5 more pounds in a max effort lift than the previous week!

Not only that, but I added more volume on my accessory lifts as well! All in all, I’d say it was a pretty good night.

Thanks, Mike!

Dave Sandel
www.athletecreator.com

Bench 45 lbs with Pain To Bench 270 lbs Without Pain In One Session?

How?

I know this seems insane that someone could literally go from barely being able to press the bar without pain to benching around 260 lbs without pain, so that is the reason I had him write it up in his own words above.

If you are interested in how the heck this can work and look into the methods behind the madness, drop a comment below and if I get 10 comments by 1pm tomorrow (Thurs March 11, CST) I will have a post about how it works.

If you are in pain, you are limiting your performance!

This also saved Dave about 4-8 weeks of “standard” rehab type exercise work, during which he would be told not to bench (and for good reason since benching was painful).

Add to that time period 4 weeks at least to get back to where he was before and we probably saved him about 3 months in one session!

How much would you pay to get 3 months of training time back?

I know I would pay a lot for that.

Now It Is Your Turn!

A Huge thanks to Dustin for taking the time to write that up and taking action to look for an answer to his pain and movement issues.

• If you are interested in a phone consult, for a limited time they are only $90 per session (normal rate is $110) and are 100% guaranteed.  If you are not happy for ANY reason, there is NO charge, email me by clicking HERE
• If you are in the St. Paul, MN area, you can see me in person for $110 per session (normal is $125) and it is 100% guaranteed also, email me by clicking HERE

Drop me an email by clicking HERE to move better with less pain today!

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

PS

If you are still not sure, see all the other testimonials below

Mike T Nelson and Extreme Human Performance Testimonials

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PPS

10 comments below by 1pm tomorrow Thurs March 11 for the secret to how this is done!  Post a comment below now.

Testimonial for Mike T Nelson: Hip Flexor and Groin Tight and Painful on Squats

Mike T. Nelson single handedly took me out of pain in 10 minutes.

I had been doing many months of heavy front squats when my right hip flexor and groin area became extremely tight and painful. No matter what method I used, it just simply would not let up. After suffering for weeks, I decided to call on Mike.

During his consultation he showed my some joint mobility/ Z-Health type drills and I was doing squats about 3/4 of the way to rock-bottom in 10 Minutes!

My pain was a solid 8 out of 10 at its worst before the consultation. 5 days after the consultation with Mike T. Nelson I was at Grip N Rip 2.0 (a workshop in Woodbury, MN) hitting Personal Records on the Deadlift, PAIN-FREE.

Stop wasting time at your local doctors office and get out of pain and start moving BETTER with Mr. Nelson.

-Dustin Williams, Owner of Wrought Iron Strength and Conditioning, Hugo, MN.

If you are in pain, you are limiting your performance.

If this can be done for pain, imagine what we can do for your performance!

Now It Is Your Turn!

A Huge thanks to Dustin for taking the time to write that up and taking action to look for an answer to his pain and movement issues.

• If you are interested in a phone consult, for a limited time they are only $90 per session (normal rate is $110) and are 100% guaranteed.  If you are not happy for ANY reason, there is NO charge, email me by clicking HERE
• If you are in the St. Paul, MN area, you can see me in person for $110 per session (normal is $125) and it is 100% guaranteed also, email me by clicking HERE

Drop me an email by clicking HERE to move better with less pain today!

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

PS

If you are still not sure, see all the other testimonials below

Mike T Nelson and Extreme Human Performance Testimonials

If you liked this post, please subscribe to the RSS feed by clicking HERE and any time I update a post, you will know about it instantly!

You can also help out by hitting this  

Shoulder Issue with Kettlebell Pressing: Video Testimonial for Mike T Nelson

I have owed Mike T Nelson this video for about three months now. My Name is George Samuelson from New Jersey. This session with Mike T Nelson was at the end of 2009 last year to address some of my present press patterning issues on my left side and also work on some kettlebell military press

Basically why this video (below) took so long is for the past lets say month or two months of a hideous viral infection like many other people, just kind of  affected with low energy levels so I was trained and whatever I have to do.

However my training sessions are still included good amount of Z Health mobility work to improve my movement.   Specifically some of the drills Mike had given me. Also during the past while doing lifts or exercises, my body has given me good feed back on going ahead and what to do for that day.

I am very happy to be able to say with even with all this stuff going on I have been able to still maintain my standard 32 kilo and 36 kilo press pretty easily.

Also during this time frame, I have put on about 5 pounds of muscle and have actually going down some body fat as well.

Doctor has asked me if I have been taking anything and I just basically told some pressing and drills, they just don’t really get it.

So if you get chance, I recommend you schedule session with Mike, whether its at a workshop by going and seeing him.

If you can’t make it out to him, make sure that you do read his blog, make sure you also sign up for his newsletter.  Its a great resource to have and thanks.

—George Samuelson, RKC II, CK-FMS, NASM-CPT, Z Health

Video Testimonial for Mike T Nelson

A huge thanks to George for the great testimonial and it was a pleasure to work with him when he was here in Minnesota.  If you are in the NJ area, be sure to contact him at his website  This Feels Good.

What are you waiting for?  Email Mike T Nelson by clicking HERE today to get started on moving, feeling and performing better!  Click HERE now!

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

PS

If you are still skeptical, be sure to check out all the other testimonial at the link below.

Mike T Nelson and Extreme Human Performance Testimonials

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Phone Consultation Testimonial for Mike T Nelson: Low Back and Hip Pain

Another testimonial from a recent phone consult I did

I had been experiencing low back, hip and leg pain as well are forearm pain for several months. After going to my chiropractor and back doctor several times with no relief, I decided that I wanted to work with a Z-Health practitioner. However, there were none in my immediate area. I also wanted to work with a Z-Health Master Trainer. I contacted Mike regarding a phone consultation.

During our consultation Mike asked me multiple questions about my health and the pain I was experiencing. He had me doing different movements while on the phone and spent as much time with me as needed.

Mike had me to do arm circles, foot work and eye drills as well as recommending some changes to my diet.

He has continued to correspond with me via e-mail to provide additional suggestions to reduce and manage my pain including breathing exercises.

My pain is now greatly reduced and I am sure it will further diminish overtime as I continue to do all that Mike as recommended.

I would highly recommend Mike to anyone who is in pain.

—Brett Williamson

Now It Is Your Turn!

A Huge thanks to Brett for taking the time to write that up and taking the bull by the horns to look for an answer to his pain and movement issues.

If you are interested in a phone consult, for a limited time they are only $90 per session (normal rate is $110) and are 100% guaranteed.  If you are not happy for ANY reason, there is NO charge.

Drop me an email by clicking HERE to move better with less pain today!

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

If you liked this post, please subscribe to the RSS feed by clicking HERE

Ouch, My Hip Hurts and My Glute Does Not WorK

Testimonial from Dave S in Minneapolis, MN, rock climbing enthusiast

After a long hiatus off of running I recently started up again, primarily trail running. I’ve been told on two separate occasions (about a month ago and about fifteen years ago) that my right glute does not engage while I run.

I suspect it’s why my running has always felt a little awkward. Previously, I just stopped running since it wasn’t enjoyable.

This time I sought Mike’s help getting my muscles to work the way they’re supposed to.

After seeing me walk, Mike determined that neither of my glutes were engaging properly. It took about an hour but Mike got both glutes functioning again.

I left with some Z-Health drills to make sure they continue to work the way they’re supposed to.

I will see Mike again and I’m looking forward to enjoying running again.

Thanks Mike.

Dave S.  Minneapolis, Minnesota

Thanks Dave for stopping by to get those glutes (butt muscles) going again!

Yes you read that right, in one session we got his glutes going again so that he can actually enjoy exercise and running again. One of them had not been working for 15 YEARS! I know that seems hard to believe, but with the right information it is possible to get your body working better now than ever before, all with less pain.

What Did We Do?

We followed this Z-Health based approach as below

Z Health Method for Injuries and Athletic Performance

In Dave’s case we needed all three -  joint, eye movements, and vestibular (head movements) to get him on the right track again.

Will It Stay?

He will work on his drills for a few times a day and this works to upgrade the software in his brain to keep his glutes working and keep running fast and fun.

What are you waiting for?  Email me by clicking HERE today to get started on moving, feeling and performing better!  Click HERE

Rock on

Mike T Nelson   Z Health Master Trainer

PS

If you are still not sure, every session is 100% guaranteed.If you are not happy for any reason, the session is free.

No strings, no catches, as your satisfaction is my highest priority. Most issues can see HUGE improvements in only one session.

Email me today by Clicking HERE

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Ouch, the Muscles Around My Shoulder Hurt:  Testimonial for Mike T Nelson

What are you waiting for?

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Testimonial on Joint Mobility Work Z-Health Style and Mike T Nelson for a Painful Shoulder

Here is another testimonial.  A HUGE thanks to Chris for stopping by the Extreme Human Performance Center in White Bear Lake, MN for 2 sessions.

For several years I’ve had a painful left shoulder that kept me from many things I like to do. The doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists could only tell me that there’s no specific injury or structural issue.

After only two sessions with Mike T Nelson, and a bit of homework on my part, the range of motion in my left shoulder has improved greatly and I began to find my lats again!

Now I can do several exercises I couldn’t do just a week before, others have improved, and my shoulder over-all just hurts less.  My shoulder is not 100% yet but it feels more stable than it has in years and I expect it to continue to improve.

Thanks Mike!

–Chris Hansen, Minnesota

Contact Mike T. Nelson to move better, lift more, with less pain today by clicking HERE.

A huge thanks to Tommy Miller for the following testimonial.  Tommy is a  Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Minnesota and also an Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach at Velocity Hockey in Eden Prairie Minnesota. Tommy has published many articles on the popular website www.xlathlete.com and you can follow his lifting experiences on his blog at

My meathead experiences

Z-Health/Mike T Nelson Testimonial

A few weeks ago I could pull (deadlift) 540 lbs no problem, but as soon as I put on 550 I was stuck at my knees. I talked with Mike T Nelson and he prescribed some ankle mobility drills and ankle lateral tilts. A few weeks ago I wanted to reach up and touch 95-97% of my 1RM, I remembered what Mike had taught me and I did these mobility drills between each of my sets. Once I passed the 405 mark I started to do them in my sumo DL stance and then it happened 555 flew up! Finally a training barrier that I can safely put behind me.  Thanks Mike!

—-Tommy Miller, Strength and Conditioning Coach and Powerlifter

Excellent work Tommy!

Keep in mind that to make your joint mobility work most specific and increase your performance in a specific lift, you can do it in that position.   In Tommy’s case, he deadlifts sumo style, so he did his joint mobility work in in his sumo stance; thus increasing the positive transfer to his sport (powerlifting).

If you are interested in picking up some mobility work, you can get the R Phase DVD from the Z-Health site.  If you are in the Twin Cities/ St Paul Minnesota area and want to feel, move look and perform better, drop me a line at Mike@ExtremeHumanPerofrmance.com  Subj “Z Health Session”and come on out for a session yourself!

Any comments or questions, post away below

Rock on

Mike T Nelson

I see a fair amount of shoulder “issues”   A simple test is to have the athlete bring their arm out to their side and all the way up while keeping their palm down and elbow straight and stop when they hit tension.

Have them do the same thing out in front.

If they don’t have a good range of motion (ROM), overhead lifting will NOT be a good idea!  Why would I put a kettlebell in their hand if they can’t get their arm over their head withOUT weight?

How to fix it

“He who treats the site of pain is lost” —Karel Lewitt, M.D

Not everyone who has less than stellar range of motion will have pain, but most that have shoulder pain have decrease shoulder ROM.

While my goal is not to directly get rid of their pain, I know that by getting a full range of motion a vast majority of the time their pain will go away.  Better movement almost always results in less pain.

Here is a video of a pre and post Z-Health joint mobility work

What Did We Do?

While every case is different, here we did some LEFT ankle mobility work (this athlete has some extra hardware in his left ankle and a scar from the said hardware), neck mobility work, and right wrist mobility work.

In general, from all the shoulder issues I’ve work with I find the following to help a vast majority of the time.

Mobility work for the

• Opposite foot/ankle
• Opposite hip
• Thoracic spine
• Same side hand/wrist.

While it is not this easy all the time, about 70% of the time it really is if you are doing the drills correctly (I love the Z-Health R Phase and I Phase drills for this) and you can reassess the athlete after EACH drill to know if you made them move better or worse.    A gait assessment and simple shoulder ROM test (both taught in the Z-Health R Phase certification) work awesome.

Since we are targeting the nervous system directly, we should see and IMMEDIATE change to know if the athlete is better or worse.  Gone are the days of sending them home with scap wall slide, stick ups, external rotation work, etc and then they come back 2- 6 weeks later to see if they worked or not!  We can now tell in SECONDS if the drills we did were good or bad.    This is critical since every athlete is an individual.

But I Do “Prehab” Exercises and They Work!

I am not saying that those other exercises never work or are “bad”, my point is that I believe there is a much faster way to get an end result.  You can now get great results with some simple looking joint mobility work and a reassessment protocol if you target the nervous system directly.

Any comments, let me know!

Rock on!

Mike T Nelson

PS

If you are interested in more info about the Z-Health R Phase cert, drop me a line(Mike T. Nelson) by clicking HERE with the subject “Z-Health Cert Questions”

Random Updates

Tons of great posts coming up including USAPL Meet update, Z-Health Review rolls on, more testimonials, TSC results, a top secret project, and much more so stay tuned here!

I will have an update to the last post below coming soon too!

Tight Hips? Stop Static Stretching!

If you are in Minnesota, you have to be watching the Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings game this Monday night too!  It is going to be a killer game, so Jodie and I will be watching the game after a nice dinner of salmon, veggies and a nice Blue Moon Harvest Moon pumpkin beer.   Tasty!

Testimonial for Mike T Nelson from uber strongman, grip athlete Adam Glass

For those on my newsletter list, you know I went over to Brad “No Relation” Nelson’s top secret location last Friday for a little talking shop pow wow that went into the wee hours of the AM.  As with most things, at some point in the night we end trying all sorts of stuff on each other especially after a few tasty adult style beverages.

Adam had some issues closing a gripper, so after some investigation I did some nerve glides on him and gave him a Z-Health joint mobility drill (fingers curled and perform finger circles).   Keep in mind that the body place a HUGE priority on the nerves and if it thinks that you will potentially damage them by a particular movement, it will start to neurologically shut down your performance as a survival mechanism.   For more info on nerve flossing, see the post below.

Nerve Flossing Z-Health Style

Fast forward a few days and Adam sends me this video.

In short, he did the drills and went on a complete terror and closed every #3 gripper in his gym!  Wow!  Very cool.   A HUGE shout out to Adam for being a great student (we are all students) and taking massive action (he did the drills).  If you know Adam, you also know that he tells it like it is and does not pull any punches.

Do you want to increase your performance?  Move better?  Get out of pain?

Contact Mike T. Nelson to set up an appointment today by clicking HERE.

Fitness Goals and Focus

I often getting the question of “What should I focus on for my fitness goals?”

It is a great question, and while the answer depends on your goals, a linear approach would be to focus on the following in this order.

1) mobility first

2) coordination (stability makes it sound like you don’t move)

3) strength (in what position?)

4) power/speed (everyone need to move fast since life is a full contact, fast paced sport)

5) CRF (cardio respiratory fitness)

I honestly can’t remember who I stole it from (Frankie F and Aaron S I think?),  but just thing about Quality over Quantity and you will have your answer.

Is it good to run 5 miles if your gait (walking motion) sucks?

Should you just keep pounding your joints to dust to increase your “cardio”?

If you want to get even simpler, you can just go with
1) mobility
2) coordination (unloaded, under load and at different speeds)

Again, this is a generalization as every individual athlete will have specifics needs that will vary from day to day; but if I had to pick I would go with the above.

Thoughts?

Rock on

Mike T Nelson