Erbs palsy

[liftandeat]

Anybody here train with this birth defect? I was born with a mild case in my left arm and I was wondering if anybody knows any secrets to strengthin it. It makes it really hard to work out my back and biceps. Any info is much appreciated.

 

[MANotaur]

Have you had any surgeries to correct the problem? what are some of your other activities?

 

[MANotaur]

The reason i ask is yes you can strengthen it and train! i just kinda need to know where your at strength wise currently. A "mild" case may vary from person to person. What is it that you were really lookin to do or learn?

 

[liftandeat]

The reason i ask is yes you can strengthen it and train! i just kinda need to know where your at strength wise currently. A "mild" case may vary from person to person. What is it that you were really lookin to do or learn?

Hey man sorry I'm just seeing this now. I've been powerlifting for about 4 years now. I can do most lifts but I can notice my left arm lagging. I don't do alot of bicep work because there are only a few exercises that I can actually do. It is impossible for me to do a military pull up but I can do pull ups with my hands facing eachother but still then it hurts. I have an abnormally large LAT muscle especially on my left side because I think it makes up for the lack of strength in my left arm. I mean I don't wanna sound like a complainer because I have already transformed my body the last few years my bench has gone from 155 to 250 but I feel like I would be so much stronger if I had 2 normal arms. Ill post pictures later to show u the erbs palsy. I've seen multiple doctors all over California and there is no procedure that they can do to give me full motion. Just like most people on the forum I'm a gym rat (it's my biggest passion) so any advice on how to keep getting stronger would be much appreciated.

 

[MANotaur]

Hey man sorry I'm just seeing this now. I've been powerlifting for about 4 years now. I can do most lifts but I can notice my left arm lagging. I don't do alot of bicep work because there are only a few exercises that I can actually do. It is impossible for me to do a military pull up but I can do pull ups with my hands facing eachother but still then it hurts. I have an abnormally large LAT muscle especially on my left side because I think it makes up for the lack of strength in my left arm. I mean I don't wanna sound like a complainer because I have already transformed my body the last few years my bench has gone from 155 to 250 but I feel like I would be so much stronger if I had 2 normal arms. Ill post pictures later to show u the erbs palsy. I've seen multiple doctors all over California and there is no procedure that they can do to give me full motion. Just like most people on the forum I'm a gym rat (it's my biggest passion) so any advice on how to keep getting stronger would be much appreciated.

theres no surgery that can give you full range of motion, but there are some that can help increase it. Your biggest problem probably isnt ROM so much as it is stability. I would recommend doing rotator cuff stabilty exercises. Lat pull downs are a better option for you as opposed to pullups. I know you can do them and if theyre not hurting you i can see your frustration, I just personally wouldnt do it because of the instability and possible fatigue of your brachial plexus. You know your body best though so start light and gradually go up in weight until you reach a point that your comfortable, but struggle. If you need anymore help or have anymore questions dont hesitate to ask me or shoot me a pm!

 

[liftandeat]

theres no surgery that can give you full range of motion, but there are some that can help increase it. Your biggest problem probably isnt ROM so much as it is stability. I would recommend doing rotator cuff stabilty exercises. Lat pull downs are a better option for you as opposed to pullups. I know you can do them and if theyre not hurting you i can see your frustration, I just personally wouldnt do it because of the instability and possible fatigue of your brachial plexus. You know your body best though so start light and gradually go up in weight until you reach a point that your comfortable, but struggle. If you need anymore help or have anymore questions dont hesitate to ask me or shoot me a pm!

I'm going to look up some rotator cuff stability exercises. I'm just tired of people in the gym watching me do bicep or back exercises and assume I have bad form but really it's just my F***ed up left arm. Thanks again MANotaur. You have been great helping me out with multiple issues.

 

[MANotaur]

I'm going to look up some rotator cuff stability exercises. I'm just tired of people in the gym watching me do bicep or back exercises and assume I have bad form but really it's just my F***ed up left arm. Thanks again MANotaur. You have been great helping me out with multiple issues.

no problem and save your self some research if you want,

Internal rotation-pin elbow to side, rotate your hand inside across your abdomen
external rotation- pin elbow to side, rotate your hand externally away from body
standing rows-self explanitory
vertical external rotation- with arm bent at 90degrees, lift elbow up till its even with shoulder and brachius is parallel to the floor, rotate externally (like your waving 'hey' to somebody or bringing your hand up to be sworn in)
vertical internal rotation - raise your arm to a 90degree square (like your being sworn in) and rotate internally (like throwing a ball to the ground) while maintain elbow at 90degrees.

for each exercise do 3 sets of 15-20 as tolerated, exercises can be done 2-3 times a week.