Traps Question

[vancouverrules]

My chiropractor is of the opinion that my "anterior" traps are overdeveloped by comparison with various back muscles, and that lat and chest work could be causing this (roughly paraphrasing).

He seems to believe that the rear traps and related back muscles are OK to develop or that I should actually focus more on developing them directly to counter the overdevelopment "in front."

I am not sure if squats or heavy side laterals may be causing me to overdevelop in front as opposed to "in back," but my body does seem to have that tendency naturally. (I do a lot of back work as a result, but the chiro says my lats are actually overdeveloped and more balance is needed in the back.)

If this makes any sense at all, what do you think I should be doing in the gym to deal with this situation, which seems to be causing neck pain and postural troubles?

I like dumbbell shrugs just fine, though another physio told me to cease them entirely.

Obviously, I don't want to stop developing, but the balance issue might make sense, so I'm looking at what I need to do to work traps without doing so much with the "anterior" zone. Make sense?

[Haltered]

anterior trap? The part visible from the front? How often do you row in comparison to shrug type work?

[MR. BMJ]

Are you sure he didn't say "Anterior Deltoids?"

BMJ
:bmj:

[solidspine]

Have to see a picture, but I suspect I would disagree with your chiropractor, get another opinion, from a body builder.

[IFBB PRO]

everyone could benfit from bigger traps

[lesarin]

Huge traps look freaky amazing. They provide amazing neck support and spine support at freak leavel(no neck visable).

Only downside is the great tension. I believe i get some headches caused by this.

[IFBB PRO]

Huge traps look freaky amazing. They provide amazing neck support and spine support at freak leavel(no neck visable).

Only downside is the great tension. I believe i get some headches caused by this.

SHIT i was wondering why i couldnt wear a tie

[dubdubs]

lol traps are overrated, IMO, we want legs. Didn't you guys read the poll in the womens section. Go squat :tongue3:

[IFBB PRO]

lol traps are overrated, IMO, we want legs. Didn't you guys read the poll in the womens section. Go squat :tongue3:

ill remember you on my gym shoot, want legs

[A L]

lol traps are overrated, IMO, we want legs. Didn't you guys read the poll in the womens section. Go squat :tongue3:

If you have big traps you should have big legs. I know I do!

[sassy69]

If you have big traps you should have big legs. I know I do!


Is this like the big hands / big feet / big ;) as well?

[dubdubs]

If you have big traps you should have big legs. I know I do!

you make an excellent point. Now don't forget to post a pic of your big legs, lol :flowers:

[Killer]

What Mr BMJ said.

You do not have an ant trap. You have an upper, mid, and lower trap though.

Sassy = naughty!

[vancouverrules]

lol traps are overrated, IMO, we want legs. Didn't you guys read the poll in the womens section. Go squat :tongue3:

LOL, well this isn't about "what women want," since I already know y'all don't want traps (or necks).

It's more to the point of whether traps, (or possibly pecs, I've heard that from a couple of chiropractors) being overdeveloped relative to other muscles, possibly causing headaches, neck pain, imbalances, etc.

The primary problem is of course a desk job gone amok (too much screen work for any meathead to endure), but I'm trying to sort the good advice from the bad.

To answer one of the above questions I have reduced shrug work of late, but it is one of my favorite exercises. For back I do a wide range of things but primary favorites would include bent dumbbell rows and pullups. I have gotten away from deadlifts - even I will admit this is a problem as they tend to lend balance I find :)

[JoeD]

snds like you're doing too much pressing movements not nuf rowing. you one of those "if you cant see it in the mirror dont train it" guys? :D

[vancouverrules]

What Mr BMJ said.

You do not have an ant trap. You have an upper, mid, and lower trap though.

Sassy = naughty!

I believe the chiro was probably referring to the traps, overall. Some of these people do not get a lot of bodybuilders in the office. :grin:

Let's face it gang, the vast majority of MD's, trainers, physiotherapists, and other health professionals want us all to be cyclists/joggers who do yoga and funky core workouts with a ball. Don't lift them heavy weights or you'll get all "unbalanced." Heck that's why I go to the chiropractor in the first place, to get out of pain so I can green-light the next workout!

Off to squat...

[vancouverrules]

snds like you're doing too much pressing movements not nuf rowing. you one of those "if you cant see it in the mirror dont train it" guys? :D

Hey, to respond to this one, nope. My physique naturally overdevelops from the pressing movements and I rebalanced my workout sched to focus on rowing etc., around 12-14 yrs. ago.

I think it may still be a problem, though. I think I'll back off on the pressing movements a little bit, try only dips and pushups on chest days for awhile, not too heavy, to see if I feel better.

I hate those chest and biceps only trainin' mofoers :) I am part of the 1% of my gym that uses the squat rack for something other than shrugs, curls, & plyometrics.

[Killer]

Desk job? hmmmm....

I know a huge number of people that get headaches from that. Good ergos and stretching is the best thing.

You have knots in the mid/upper trap and rhomboids of your mouse hand? Almost all office workers do. That can cause your problem.

Check out your ergos and stretch. Also, do you commute? If so, set your seat nice and high. When you slouch, do not adjust the mirror, but sit the hell back up! lol

TESTOSTERONE NATION | World's Largest Bodybuilding and Weight Loss Underground Nation (http://www.testosterone.net) has 2 articles called "Training the office worker" or something similar. They have some good material on it.

[JoeD]

I hate those chest and biceps only trainin' mofoers :) I am part of the 1% of my gym that uses the squat rack for something other than shrugs, curls, & plyometrics.

i hear you , me too

[vancouverrules]

Desk job? hmmmm....

I know a huge number of people that get headaches from that. Good ergos and stretching is the best thing.

You have knots in the mid/upper trap and rhomboids of your mouse hand? Almost all office workers do. That can cause your problem.


Yep. The mouse hand thing is pretty bad. The doc can find the nasty spots instantly. In past years I have taken weeks off or clumsily left-moused for two-week stretches, just to get back to normal.

People who use the computer "a little bit" think this is crazy talk. It's a matter of degree. Too much can screw you up. Agree too on the ergos,...

[Killer]

Yup. I spent a couple nights hunched over a computer improperly and my back was sore for 2 weeks!

Get a tennis ball and lean against the wall and do some deep tissue work on your mid trap/rhomboid area where the spasms are.

You can also get a sock, stuff 3 tennis ball in there and do the same thing for greater control.

If you do a lot of conf calls, get a broomstick, stand, put it behind your mid back and hook your arms around it while on the conf call. Make sure you stand straight up. That will give you a good stretch while you are making money!