Recovering from shoulder surgery; feeling crummy...
Former Member
and actually considering giving up swimming. I am so discouraged these days....
I fell and hurt my shoulder about 9 years ago. I didn't have surgery at the time (was told I didn't need it) and thought I healed correctly. Fast forward to today...after swimming 6 years I start to feel an ache in my "bad" shoulder when I swim longer than a mile. So off to the sports med doc I go....I get an MRI which looks like I might have torn cartilage, which is causing the pain. Surgery is scheduled....they find nothing. Nothing is torn; nothing to fix. So now I will have to swim with the pain....
I know that some of the tension is a result of an imbalance in my freestyle...I always breath to my left, which means I pull harder with my strong (right) side. When I try to breath to the right it all falls apart. I don't feel balanced in the water; I am sure there are a million things wrong with my stroke...I should kick more...blah blah blah.
I just started swimming again...been in the water for the last few days and I am very discouraged. I'd love to hear from folks out there who have taught themselves to breath to their uncomfortable side.... and how you did it, how long it took, etc.
Anyone else out there going through a discouraging time...or if you have in the past, how'd you get over it?
Ande - what are your thoughts?
I used to box...maybe I should just go back to the ring and stay out of the water....:(
Parents
Former Member
Hi there.
I know what you are going through, and it can be very discouraging.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I had surgery on my right shoulder about 6 years ago. I quit college swimming at that time... but then last year, I came back and it has been a tough road. BUT, it has been great swimming w/ Masters... it is such a great, supportive group. I've had tons of improvement over the year and I concentrate on that. I'm nowhere close to my old times, but I will get there someday.
To avoid further injury, you MUST concentrate on your technique as you practice.
To get yourself to breathe on both sides... Do DRILLS, DRILLS, and MORE DRILLS!
:D
I love doing three pulls and kick for 6. Then do five pulls, then switch to 7 when you are comfy.
Everything will be fine... stay in the water! ;)
Hi there.
I know what you are going through, and it can be very discouraging.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I had surgery on my right shoulder about 6 years ago. I quit college swimming at that time... but then last year, I came back and it has been a tough road. BUT, it has been great swimming w/ Masters... it is such a great, supportive group. I've had tons of improvement over the year and I concentrate on that. I'm nowhere close to my old times, but I will get there someday.
To avoid further injury, you MUST concentrate on your technique as you practice.
To get yourself to breathe on both sides... Do DRILLS, DRILLS, and MORE DRILLS!
:D
I love doing three pulls and kick for 6. Then do five pulls, then switch to 7 when you are comfy.
Everything will be fine... stay in the water! ;)
