Unfourtuntly I think I have to join the ranks of the injured shoulders. I have a couple question concerning injuries of shoulders. First, when is a sore shoulder bad enough that you should see a doctor and when is it O.K. just to take a wait and see approach? The other questions is, is there a way to know if it is a rotary cuff problem or maybe just a sore or pulled muscle.
My shoulder started bothering me a few weeks ago. I was laying on my couch with my 22 month old, when she decided it would be fun to throw herself at me. She landed on my left shoulder and I felt a sharp pain. My shoulder has not been well since. The pain can sometimes just be a little sore but if I use it the wrong way such as picking up my daughter it can hurt pretty bad. It seems O.K. when I swim freestlye but I can feel more pain doing the other strokes. I have been doing a lot more freestlye because of that.
I do have to say I am a little reluctant to go to the doctors in fear that he will say stop swimming. I have only one regular meet left this weekend and our championship next month. Then I can take a long break if I need to. Once the weather gets better I can start running more and I don't have to depend on swimming to keep me in shape and to loose wieght.
I guess I am just trying to get through this next month without having to stop swimming and without loosing all that I have worked for this season, right before championships.
Parents
Former Member
It's certainly not going to heal itself under the same conditions that caused the injury.
A doctor may convince you to have surgery after a series of tests, but you can still seek treatment whenever you wish. Being informed is better than remaining in the dark, but it doesn't mean the problem will go away once you know and treat it according to instructions either.
It's up to you. In your shoes I would probably do exactly what I'm doing for my injured shoulder. But, the devils advocate in me feels that it'd be nice to know the exact nature of the injury as well.
Whatever you do - it's best that you take control over your own medical condition. Be informed. Acknowledge your condition. See treatment based on how you feel, not on what you want to do.
It's certainly not going to heal itself under the same conditions that caused the injury.
A doctor may convince you to have surgery after a series of tests, but you can still seek treatment whenever you wish. Being informed is better than remaining in the dark, but it doesn't mean the problem will go away once you know and treat it according to instructions either.
It's up to you. In your shoes I would probably do exactly what I'm doing for my injured shoulder. But, the devils advocate in me feels that it'd be nice to know the exact nature of the injury as well.
Whatever you do - it's best that you take control over your own medical condition. Be informed. Acknowledge your condition. See treatment based on how you feel, not on what you want to do.
