Hey Black Star Fam,
It’s the start of a new month, and for me, that means taking a step back to reflect, reset, and actually follow the advice I give so many of you.
I’ll be spending some much needed time this August with my family on vacation but also getting quiet enough to evaluate what’s working in my life, and what needs to shift. This is part of my reset. A necessary pause that too often gets skipped.
In a blog I recently shared, I wrote this:
“Sometimes it’s not just busyness, it's depletion. The kind that makes you forget what it feels like to have energy left at the end of the day. The kind that silences your body’s early warning signs until they can’t be ignored anymore.”
Read the full article and series “How the healer heals” here.
I realized that healing and reflection aren’t things I just teach, they're things I need to live. So this month, I’m doing just that.
And if this resonates with you, maybe it's your time to slow down too.
Got Pain? This Week’s Focus: Shoulder Pain
This week in the Got Pain? series, we tackled one of the most common issues I hear about shoulder pain, especially with overhead movement, lifting, or reaching behind your back.
Do you feel:
- A clicking or sharp pain in the front or side of the shoulder?
- Stiffness when reaching overhead?
- A dull ache when lying on one side?
It may be a sign of impingement, often caused by poor posture, muscle imbalance, or decreased mobility.
The good news? There are simple shoulder mobility drills and scapular strength exercises that can make a BIG difference.
Here’s what I covered this week:
✅ What impingement really is (and isn’t)
✅ Daily stretches to open up the shoulder
✅ Key strengthening tips to avoid pain when lifting
✅ My top 5 exercises to improve shoulder function
Tap here to see the full post and save the exercises on Instagram
💬 Let’s Reflect Together
How are you entering this new month?
(1) Are you running on empty or (2) taking time to fill your own cup? (Use these questions to Insert a poll for engagement)
I’d love to hear how this Got Pain? The series has helped you so far.
We’ve covered:
✅ Ankle
✅ Knee
✅ Hip
✅ Shoulder (this week!)
Next up… The Spine.
Make sure you’re following along so you don’t miss it!
Until next time,
Be well, stay strong, and don’t ignore the signs.
— Natasha
Black Star Physical Therapy & Wellness
🖤 Empowerment | Consistency | Community
