shoulder pain

[M]

Hello everyone!

I need some advice. I have been struggling with soreness/pain in my right shoulder for as long as I can remember. I won't let myself stop working it (to see if it will heal after a while). I never lift really heavy weights; I usually use the weight that Cathe uses (except for MIS - I could never use 35 lbs.!). I feel the pain mostly on the pulling motion or the negative motion of an overhead press. I also feel it, though, when doing chestwork, especially flies and pushups (the descent portion). I'm not in pain in my everyday life, just when working out. That's why I don't think it's an injury. I feel like I just need to strengthen it, but don't know how to go about it. Does anyone have any words of wisdom? I would really appreciate any suggestions from my fellow Cathe devotees!!! (What would we do without her?)

Thanks so much......Linda

 

[Gibbee]

Where in your shoulder is the pain? Front (anterior) or back (posterior) or side/top (medial)? I always have tightness in the neck/trapezius area and in the front deltoid (which is from me occasionally taking the weights too far down on the decent of a fly or chest press. Push ups are sometimes painful. Dr. says I have strained the anterior deltoid, combined with stressing the tendon that is tied in or near the deltoid and pectoral muscles. Anti-inflammatories and ice or moist heat help, too.

My neck/traps bother me from a previous strain about 3 years ago and it flares up with stress and/or lots of working out.

I've tried to lay off lifting but find that difficult to do (I'm a type A personality), so I lighten weights and will take an extra day or two off of the area and focus on abs or something. Not sure if I'm much help...

 

[kathryn]

Since this is a pain that is chronic, and the shoulder can be a touchy joint, I HIGHLY recommend getting some advice from a PT or doctor, to make sure that what you do helps heal the area rather than making the problem worse. In one appointment with a PT, you can get a diagnosis, as well as some rehab exercises and ideas for form (ask LOTS of questions, to make good use of your time).

 

[M]

Thanks for your response! I never really thought about seeing someone about it, but it would be nice to know for sure what the problem is and hopefully get rid of it. Thanks again!