How Golf Pro Erik Beat Shoulder Pain and Returned to Golf with the Shoulder Reliever

Hello friends and golfers! My name is Erik Schjolberg, though most people call me Coach Erik. I’ve been teaching golf for over 25 years at my academy, EJS Golf, located at McCormick Ranch G. C. in Scottsdale, AZ. 

I’ve been fortunate to follow my dream and passion of coaching PGA Tour professionals, advanced juniors, college golfers, and countless others golfers. 

But let me take you back a bit. This is a story of pain, desperation, late-night infomercials, and, ultimately, a comeback that even I could hardly believe.

The Painful Plunge

Let's rewind to about a year or so ago. At this point in my life I was coaching golf and swinging a golf club with no problems at all.  

Then, out of the blue, my life changed immensely which is always hard to handle when we don’t get to  dictate the outcome, life did.  

So, playing golf one day I started experiencing excruciating shoulder pain. My right shoulder, which had already endured two rotator cuff surgeries, decided it was time for another round of misery. 

My supraspinatus muscle was completely torn, and there was no hope for a simple fix.

My golf game became non existent as well as me performing drills and shots for my students at my teaching studio.   

My range of motion became limited.  So, when I would try to play golf or just hit some shots, I had absolutely no club head speed.   

Going from driving the golf ball around 280 yards to hoping to hit it 200 yards is where I was at.  I tried to just hit irons for a while and then that was eventually stripped from me as well b/c of the pain.   

Every aspect of my game was affected. But it wasn't just about golf. 

Everyday activities became a chore. Brushing my teeth, lifting a coffee mug, even waving goodbye—each movement was a reminder of my physical limitations.

Desperation in the Dark

After consulting with a pain management doctor and an orthopedic surgeon, the verdict was in: I needed a complete shoulder reversal surgery. 

The same shoulder that had already been through two surgeries was now a candidate for the only surgical option left and that was the full reverse shoulder replacement surgery.   

Having had so much stripped from me in my life due to surgeries, I felt pretty low with this inevitable surgery on the horizon.    

The idea of such a major surgery was daunting. It would mean 3 months in a sling, a full year of recovery with no guarantees of range of motion.  I had no idea if I would be able to golf again and be the golf coach that I was.    

I need to be able to swing a golf club for my job and the thought of not being able to was scary.  

Despite my reservations, I turned to physical therapy and chiropractors.  

I even paid thousands of dollars for the latest injections that were supposed to provide healing of some sort where other options didn’t.   

While these treatments provided some relief, they were expensive and the pain persisted. I was stuck in a painful loop, with no clear way out.

Then, one fateful night, as I sat hunched over my computer, I stumbled upon an ad for something called the Shoulder Reliever. 

Now, I’m not one to fall for late-night infomercials. In fact, I pride myself on being skeptical of anything that promises a quick fix. But I was desperate and I did give into my desperation knowing that there was a no question about a 60 day money back guarantee.   

I was willing to try anything to avoid another surgery. So, I did something I’d never done before: I clicked "buy" on an infomercial product.

The Skeptic's Gamble

The Shoulder Reliever arrived at my doorstep a few days later. 

It was a simple device, with an instructional guide and a promise of relief. I couldn’t help but not fully believe this would work.  I mean, come on. But I was desperate, and I had nothing to lose. I started using the Shoulder Reliever religiously. 

Every day, I spent 5-10 minutes working with it. The exercises were straightforward and didn’t feel like they were doing much at first. 

But I stuck with it, clinging to a sliver of hope.

The Unexpected Turnaround

About three weeks into my routine with the Shoulder Reliever, something incredible happened. I started to notice a reduction in pain. 

My range of motion began to improve. I felt stronger, more stable. By the fourth week, I did the unthinkable: I picked up a golf club. 

With a mix of fear and excitement, I swung. It wasn’t perfect, but it was pain-free.

I kept at it, day after day. The tiny muscles around my shoulder were getting stronger, providing the support that my damaged rotator cuff couldn’t. 

The improvement was remarkable. I was shocked and as excited as anyone could be.  

My Doctor's Astonishment

My next appointment with the surgeon was one for the books. He examined my shoulder and couldn’t believe the progress I had made. 

The torn supraspinatus was still there, but the strengthening of the surrounding muscles had made a world of difference. He was amazed and, frankly, so was I.

The Shoulder Reliever had done what months of physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments couldn’t. 

It gave me back my swing, my game, and a huge part of my life.

Shoulder Reliever: The Game Changer

So, what exactly is the Shoulder Reliever, and why did it work so well? 

The Shoulder Reliever is designed to target and strengthen the smaller, often neglected muscles around the shoulder joint. 

These muscles play a crucial role in stabilizing the shoulder, especially when the major muscles are compromised. 

The device provides both daytime and nighttime support, ensuring that your shoulder is constantly being cared for.

Daytime Support

During the day, the Shoulder Reliever offers exercises that are easy to incorporate into your routine. Here are the four exercises I found most beneficial:

• Rotational Lifts: This exercise focuses on improving the rotational strength of your shoulder. It’s a gentle movement that gradually increases in intensity, perfect for rebuilding strength without causing strain.

• Shoulder Raises: A simple yet effective exercise that helps in enhancing shoulder stability. It involves raising your arm slowly, holding for a few seconds, and then lowering it. Repetitive, yes, but highly effective.

• External Rotations: This exercise targets the external rotators of the shoulder. It’s done with the help of a resistance band provided with the Shoulder Reliever, ensuring controlled and effective movement.

• Scapular Squeezes: These focus on strengthening the muscles around the scapula, which play a vital role in shoulder stability. It’s a subtle exercise but works wonders over time.

Nighttime Support

At night, the Shoulder Reliever provides support that ensures your shoulder remains in a comfortable position, reducing strain and promoting healing while you sleep.

The idea is to increase the blood flow to the affected area.  

This continuous support is a game changer, as it allows for uninterrupted recovery.

The Road to Recovery

Using the Shoulder Reliever, my shoulder continued to improve. The pain became manageable, then negligible. My range of motion returned, and with it, my confidence. 

I was able to teach my students without wincing in pain. 

My swing, once a source of frustration and despair, became fluid and powerful again.

But it wasn’t just about physical recovery. The Shoulder Reliever gave me back a part of my identity that I feared I had lost forever. 

As a golf instructor, my ability to demonstrate techniques and correct my students' form is crucial. 

The Shoulder Reliever allowed me to do my job effectively and without pain.

Conclusion

The Shoulder Reliever was a game changer for me, and I’m not just saying that because it sounds good. 

It genuinely turned my life around If you’re dealing with shoulder pain, whether it’s from golf or any other activity, I highly recommend giving the Shoulder Reliever a try. 

I was skeptical, too, but sometimes, the solution we need comes from the most unexpected places. Don’t let pain hold you back. 

Swing for the fences—well, in our case, the fairways—and give yourself the chance to get back in the game.

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For more tips and golf lessons, you can always visit my website, EJSGolf.com as well as my YouTube page. Scottsdale golf lessons are just a click away, and I’d be thrilled to help you improve your game. 

Remember, a little bit of daily practice can make all the difference.

Stay strong, keep swinging, and never underestimate the power of a late-night infomercial.

Join my FREE Golf Community at skool.com/ejsgolf

Yours in golf, 

Coach Erik Schjolberg

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