I have been diagnosed with a shoulder impingement and it is really hampering my plans to start working out again. I tried exercies and stretching, but it hasen't gotten any better. I was told surgury is an option, and I am seriously thinking about it. Has anyone gone through it and how did it change your swimming if at all?
My left shoulder has fully dislocated more times than I can remember. I've managed however, through preventative measures such as weight lifting and stretching to keep it under control, and not dislocate in over 10 years, I'm 46. It is however, very loose and potentially problematic. If it dislocates again I would likely need a Bankart repair.
Additionally, when I started swimming (almost 4 yrs ago) I favored my right shoulder to protect the left and doing so, caused some damage to it (my good shoulder). I cant do breaststroke because of this. Still not bad enough in my opinion for seeking medical help, yet.
Nevertheless, I have shoulder issues, but managed to keep it under control without surgery, to the point where I can still enjoy life and swimming. At least give weight lifting, stability exercises, and stretching a try if you have not.
The glenohumeral joint in the shoulder is unique in that it relies entirely on surrounding soft tissue for proper movement and placement of the humerus. That puts us in the driver's seat as far as keeping the muscles around there properly balanced. Posture is usually the biggest problem because no overhead movements can be safely executed when we're hunched forward. I used to pop my shoulder out on backstroke and tore my infraspinitus, but I haven't had problems since I started mostly light work on rotator cuff muscles, rhomboids and upper posturals with resistance bands and foam rollers.
My left shoulder has fully dislocated more times than I can remember. I've managed however, through preventative measures such as weight lifting and stretching to keep it under control, and not dislocate in over 10 years, I'm 46. It is however, very loose and potentially problematic. If it dislocates again I would likely need a Bankart repair.
Additionally, when I started swimming (almost 4 yrs ago) I favored my right shoulder to protect the left and doing so, caused some damage to it (my good shoulder). I cant do breaststroke because of this. Still not bad enough in my opinion for seeking medical help, yet.
Nevertheless, I have shoulder issues, but managed to keep it under control without surgery, to the point where I can still enjoy life and swimming. At least give weight lifting, stability exercises, and stretching a try if you have not.
The glenohumeral joint in the shoulder is unique in that it relies entirely on surrounding soft tissue for proper movement and placement of the humerus. That puts us in the driver's seat as far as keeping the muscles around there properly balanced. Posture is usually the biggest problem because no overhead movements can be safely executed when we're hunched forward. I used to pop my shoulder out on backstroke and tore my infraspinitus, but I haven't had problems since I started mostly light work on rotator cuff muscles, rhomboids and upper posturals with resistance bands and foam rollers.
