Hi there.
I've been discussing my shoulder problems on this site before, but as I've noticed throughout my practices since starting back in October... I'm not seeing much improvement with what is going on with my arms.
I had surgery on my right shoulder, and it's hanging in there - it can get a little sensitive on some nights, but this is not what my problem is.
After I warm up and start a main set (like 10x100 free), and after like the first 200, my arms feel like they are going numb and it's like I'm going no-where in the water (it's mostly in the forearms). I'm 25, I'm not out of shape, swimming about 3-4 times a week. It's a sore feeling... really strange. When I stop my set to stretch, I'm good for about another 100 and then it's back to being "numb". It's getting really frustrating, I don't know what to do. Once I go numb, I can't get my arms to go faster.
Does anybody reccommend anything, or should I go and see a Dr? This is all so darn frustrating b/c I love to swim so much, but my body is not cooperating and it makes me not want to go to the pool.
Thanks!
S.
Former Member
Sarah,
How recently did you have surgery? Was it for the most recent injury you have been talking about here at USMS? Anyhow, numbness generally indicates lack of bloodflow doesn't it? I guess it could be a nerve being pinched when you swim. I actually wake up from time to time with numb hands and forearms but it never occurs while I am swimming. I mentioned it to my ortho and he said that would be something for a neurologist to look at if I was interested in a refferal; which I was not by the way. I wish you luck but I am finding out that these shoulder injuries are VERY slow to completely heal. I am over three months into mine and I still have good days and bad days.
I had an injury on my adductor and had to get it released during an operation. Within a year I was back under the knife because scar tissue had pressed on my nerve which was making my leg numb.
You should go to a good sports doctor adn get a referal for some tests. As the last post said it could also be blood flow issues and you want that sorted ASAP.
I know a swimmer who had blood flow issues and the doctors said that it was not uncommon in swimmers because they spend so much time with their arms above their head.
Thanks for your input!
My shoulder surgery was in Dec 1999... it has been my only one (arthroscopic surgery on the right shoulder to shrink the ligaments w/ heat and clean up and move my rotator cuff back into place). Can't complain too much about the shoulder (which is good because if I mess it up again, I have to go and get a more difficult surgery done). I think the best thing to do is see a Dr - especially if my arms aren't getting enough bloodflow while I swim! Creepy!
The "numbness" that I am feeling (in both arms) is different than if my foot or hand fell asleep if I was laying on it or something like that. It is so hard to describe, but I should probably see a Dr.
The other day, I acutally saw a car zoom by with the license plates saying "swim doc" - hopefully I can find him or her! HA!
Thanks again!
S.
Do you work with a coach? has he looked at your stroke? Maybe you're doing something odd and adding unecessary strain to your arm muscles?
Or, maybe you have some sort of a posture imbalance that is pinching a nerve somewhere...
For starters perhaps have a sports oriented chiropractor have a look at it... after you had your stroke techniqure reviewed.
Numbness in arms can indicate a pinch in your upper back or neck... or it could be just muscle strain from tweaked stroke.
It could be as basic as just overworking your arm muscles too.
