I'm 29 years old and am getting back into swimming (swam for fun as a kid, but never competed or anything). Previously most of my exercise was in the gym lifting weights or cycling (in which I used to race in college). However, I'm looking to swim more since I'll be moving to a colder climate in a couple months.
Anyway, so I've been swimming for a couple months now. About 2 weeks ago I went into the pool and did some laps freestyle with a pull buoy. While doing this, I apparently was not rolling my body very much (which I knew at the time but simply thought that the pull buoy was preventing me from doing so and so was the expected way to do the drill). Anyway, during the end of the drills my shoulders started slighting hurting. I finished the workout however.
The next couple days my shoulders were fairly sore, although definitely not too painful to move. They just felt sort of like I had received a shot in each shoulder.
About 4 days later I swam again. This time when I tried freestyle stroke my shoulders just felt really weak and powerless. I hadn't slept much in a couple days, which probably didn't help me either. Instead of continuing to use my shoulder during this workout I instead just threw on the flippers and did leg-work.
It's been 2 weeks since I last swam, and my shoulders generally feel pretty good. However, my left shoulder still feels slightly off, and if I stretch it well then it does feel different to some degree. While I wouldn't really call any of this "pain", it's an odd feeling, somewhat similar to the 'shot' feeling I described earlier, although not nearly as acute as it felt the day that I injured it. It's minor enough that it's the kind of thing I wonder to what degree it is just in my head.
Anyway, any pointers on how to proceed? Others who have experience similar situations? I'm sure that many people on these forums have been through much more serious swimming injuries than this (and likely at a time when they couldn't easily stop swimming). I miss swimming and would like to get back to it, but if I'm going to injure my shoulder again and make it worse I don't want to risk it. I can happily cycle for quite some time and give my shoulder a break from swimming if that's what it'll take.
Thanks for any pointers you can give me!
Hi Gammapoint!
Glad to hear you're getting back into swimming again! Sorry to hear about the shoulder problems. I've recently gone through a bout of shoulder difficulties that I am still dealing with, though the pain I felt was different than what you're describing.
Sounds to me less like an acute injury and more like your shoulder muscles are just getting used to being back in the pool after a long hiatus. I would try getting back into the pool again if they feel OK and perhaps try icing them after you get out for awhile.
If you feel any sort of acute pain in your shoulder during the swim, I would stop doing whatever is causing the pain and perhaps re-evaluate your stroke mechanics or go to a pt to see what may be done to help.
Alternatively if you're worried about too much shoulder difficulties you can switch strokes or do some intense kick sets if you'd still like to get into the water.
I'm sure other folks on the forums have had similar experiences or may have some advice of their own, but if you use the search thread at the top of the forums you can also see what has been discussed concerning this matter in the past.
Good luck!!:cheerleader:
Anyway, any pointers on how to proceed? Others who have experience similar situations?
Thanks for any pointers you can give me!
I highly recommend getting to see a physical therapist. Preferably one with some experience with swimmers.
In the US you need to get a doctor to prescribe physical therapy, but it'is well worth it.
Typically, PT's will give you stretches and exercises that you will want to persist in doing after the PT has officially ended.
