The Arms and Legs

The Shoulder Joint

The upper arm bone fits into a shallow socket on the side of the shoulder blade. As this allows a wide range of movement the shoulder joint is easily subject to body stress. Reaching above the head, stretching the arm backwards, jarring effects in sports like tennis, these actions may strain the ligaments and muscles of the shoulder and tension becomes locked into the joint.

The shoulder may be stiff and painful. If there is a build-up of inflammation the pain may be intense. Most likely the release of the stored tension would have to be carried out several times, over a period of time, to enable the joint to stabilise and healing to take place.

In a long-term case of body stress of the shoulder, the joint may become, "frozen", i.e. its mobility is severely restricted. In certain of such cases, full movement of the shoulder is restored immediately after the stress is released. In other cases this may occur only after several sessions of BSR. Therefore, to avoid the problem progressing to the stage of immobility, it is advisable to have the shoulder attended to as soon as possible after an injury occurs.

The Elbow, Wrist and Hand

These joints may be stressed by jarring the arm, as in a fall, by twisting movements, such as using a screwdriver or opening a tight jar, or by vigorous actions such as scrubbing or using woodworking tools.

Tension becomes locked into the elbow joint, between the small wrist bones, or between the hand bones. Carrying heavy shopping bags with the handles looped around the fingers may induce body stress in the joints of the fingers or at the knuckles.

As a result pain or stiffness will be experienced, and possibly numbness or tingling. There may be weakness of the muscles when attempting to lift or grasp an object.

Hip Joint

The Hip Joint

The ball-shaped structure at the upper end of the thigh bone fits into a deep, secure socket in the pelvis. However, this joint may be stressed by movements such as mounting a bicycle, or a horse, or in a fall, or from sitting cross-legged when unaccustomed to this position.

knee Joint

As tension becomes locked into the hip joint there may be restricted mobility, a sharp jabbing pain deep in the joint, or a milder ache when walking or dancing.

The Knee Joint

This joint undergoes a great deal of daily strain, as not only does it bear the weight of the body, it is designed for the flexibility of a hinge joint. The cartilage pad in the knee joint and the ligaments supporting the joint may be stressed by twisting the knee, by jarring it in a fall or in a hard kick.

Ankle and Foot

When there is body stress in the knee, besides being painful, the knee joint may be weakened to the point of collapsing when pressure is exerted on the leg, as in going up or down stairs.

The Ankle and Foot

Body stress may become locked into the joints if a person jars or twists the ankle, as in stepping off a pavement incorrectly, or as a result of a kicking action. Besides pain, there may be the sensation of the ankle collapsing when placing the weight of the body on that leg. The joints of the toes may also become stressed and this may in time contribute to the development of a bunion - a distortion in the area of the big toe.