I have had problems with my shoulders for years but it is getting to the point where I can no longer train chest or shoulders. I thought I tore my rotator cuff a year or two ago and went to the doctor and he said I had tendonitis. The pain has fluctuated ever since but now nothing I do seems to make it go away. I have tried everything including taking some time off completely then when I try to lift again my shoulders hurt. Anyone have any ideas?
Nagging shoulder problems
- Thread starter 01amberfirewv
- Start date
Have you had it rechecked at least?
Doctors almost always say it is the simplest thing possible when you are first there. If it goes away, doctor is right, touch of tendonitis and you are fine, dctors a genius, if not thats when they may actually do something other than guess.
What kind of tests did they run?
Doctors almost always say it is the simplest thing possible when you are first there. If it goes away, doctor is right, touch of tendonitis and you are fine, dctors a genius, if not thats when they may actually do something other than guess.
What kind of tests did they run?
I guess I should say when I made the appointment I thought for sure I tore it starting my lawn mower and I could only lift it to just below parralell with the ground. I went in a few days later and it felt much better, I had regained most of my range of motion. This is pretty much how its been though off and on. The pain is not constant but it really kicks in when I lower the bar on exercises like bench press. I am a PE/health teacher and I noticed that it gets really bad if I do any movements like throwing a football with the kids.
Thanks I'll give it a try.
Obviously the first thing you need to do is lay off for a while. Although it is a bad habit to get into, you may even give yourself a head start with a cortizone shot, which will dramatically reduce inflammation in the joint. Don't forget to ice the thing especially after heavy activity.
You may also need to evaluate the way you train. Bill Hartman and Mike Robertson have written an excellent article to start you down the path of educating yourself about your injury. Learn as much as you can about it so when you talk to medical practicioners you can speak their language and figure out if they're full of crap or actually on the money.
You may also need to evaluate the way you train. Bill Hartman and Mike Robertson have written an excellent article to start you down the path of educating yourself about your injury. Learn as much as you can about it so when you talk to medical practicioners you can speak their language and figure out if they're full of crap or actually on the money.
Thanks that’s a great article. I haven't been able to train chest or shoulders (other than pushups) for almost a month though which is why this is really starting to bother me. I talked to a good friend who is a massage therapist and he said it sounds like I have a pinched nerve. My wife is a physical therapist assistant so I am going to see if there is anything she can do. Of course if it doesn’t improve soon I am going to have to go to the doc, but man I hate going 
It sounds like you might have an infraspinatis tear since it was acute, but without image confirmation it is impossible to tell. The only sure way to know is an MRI. If that turns up a blank, that doesn't remove the fact that you have pain. Chronic overuse usually results in adhesions in the muscle tissue, which can trap nerves and cause a lot of pain.
Have you been following the RICE formula? Obviously the first order of business is resting it, then you also want to ice it, and elevate if you can (sleep on the other side). An NSAID would probably be effecatious at this time as well.
Have you been following the RICE formula? Obviously the first order of business is resting it, then you also want to ice it, and elevate if you can (sleep on the other side). An NSAID would probably be effecatious at this time as well.
I noticed that the artical you posted said problems can occur when the rombiods and too tight and I have also been having some pain and tightness there. I think I am going to focus on some of the exercises that they listed too. Lots of great info here, thanks again
I know the MRI has been mentioned, but if you haven't done it, you should get it done, and see a doctor with experience in sports medicine.
If they don't find anything, it's very likely overuse/inflammation, usually from too much pressing. Bad form on the bench press (elbows flared) and too much OH pressing could do it.
The sports med doc would likely tell you (if they don't find anything) to ice it after lifting and start doing rotator cuff exercises/JOBE exercises.
If they don't find anything, it's very likely overuse/inflammation, usually from too much pressing. Bad form on the bench press (elbows flared) and too much OH pressing could do it.
The sports med doc would likely tell you (if they don't find anything) to ice it after lifting and start doing rotator cuff exercises/JOBE exercises.
The doctor I went to before was a power lifter. He didn't do an MRI though he just asked me some questions and had me move it a few different ways. I am going to try some of the exercises suggested in the link jpfitness posted and see if it gets any better if not I am definitly going to go get an MRI.
With a tear would it hurt all the time or just when there is a load on the joint (i.e. bench press)? I know this pain used to always come when I would do exercies such as upright rows or power cleans so I had to cut those out comepletly. I would love ro start doing cleans again though
With a tear would it hurt all the time or just when there is a load on the joint (i.e. bench press)? I know this pain used to always come when I would do exercies such as upright rows or power cleans so I had to cut those out comepletly.
I would love ro start doing cleans again though