Shoulder pain is frustrating isn’t it?
It restricts your daily life… compromises in your ability to train… and acts as a roadblock to achieving what you want in the gym …
But here’s what makes most people REALLY angry:
Despite your desire to heal your shoulder… move pain-free… train unrestricted… and feel strong and capable again:
Nothing seems to work.
And you’re left unsure of what to do, thinking “I’ve tried everything I can think of… where the hell to I go from here?!”
Well today, I have the answer for you:
This is the model I use to help clients eliminate their shoulder issues, so they can move pain-free and train with confidence.
1) The Common Route
Is “Easy” rehab. This involves low level exercises (like stretches, therabands, body weight drills and 3kg dumbbells).
![](https://ollieemberson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_1301-1024x237.jpeg)
This helps reduce your pain for a few days to weeks, but there’s a problem with it…
How do I know? I’ll show you:
2) Matt Was Stuck In A Cycle
Before my program, he tried to fix his shoulder with classic physio exercises like the ones below.
![](https://ollieemberson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_1302-1024x690.jpeg)
They didn’t work.
Reduced his pain for a few days… but his pain returned when he tried to get back in the gym.
Sound familiar? Here’s why that happens…
3) The Jump Is Too Big
You cant just go from these low intensity exercises to complex stuff like chest presses.
Why?
You’re going from “A to Z”… from easy to very hard, which would be the equivalent of going from 75kg squats to 200kg overnight.
![](https://ollieemberson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_1303-1024x354.jpeg)
So instead of trying to walk up the stairs 6 steps at a time (which would make you fall over), you need a middle step like this…
4) My Solution: “Bridging”
I found that by adding a middle step, clients build strength and resilience… without aggravating your shoulder or pain symptoms.
This middle step is called “Bridging”.
![](https://ollieemberson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_1304-1024x389.jpeg)
Because it “bridges” the gap between low level “easy” rehab, and high intensity training…
5) How Bridging Works
During the bridging phase, you see modified compound movements… more complex lifts… more varied equipment… and higher volumes / intensities (see examples below):
![](https://ollieemberson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_1305-1024x460.webp)
The goal is simple:
To prepare your shoulder so 1) it fully heals, 2) so you can move pain-free, and 3) so you can train unrestricted with intense exercise (eg. Bench press, Shoulder press, and Lat raises)
6) And It DOES Work…
Bridging helped my client (Matt) go from 48 months shoulder pain to 100% pain-free workouts in 4 weeks, and he is now bench pressing more weight than ever, with ZERO issues.
![](https://ollieemberson.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IMG_1307-1024x701.jpeg)
“His situation is different to mine though!”
Maybe.
After all, he tried multiple physical therapy programs, stretches, and cortisone injections before trying my approach.
And it worked.
Maybe it’ll work for you too?
7) He’s Not The Only One
Matt’s story isn’t unique.
Every single one of my clients contacts me as a last cry for help after spending months to years with different “experts”.
And I get it:
It’s frustrating to know months have passed, time and money thrown down the drain on treatments that missed the spot.
I wouldn’t blame you for feeling angry…
But know there IS hope for you.
You just need the right system… And I believe “BRIDGING” is that system.
Have a great week,
— Ollie E.