I have been swimming almost a year and as I am getting "better" I have been upping my distance and workout frequency.
I have slowly worked my way up to swimming three times a week and the distance is about 1500-2000yds a workout. I mix up intervals and straight swims. Mainly long swims in the summer and intervals in the winter. I think my approach has been rational thus far.
However, my left shoulder has started to bother me. I have made adjustments to my mechanics and as long as I don't let it get out too far from my body I can deal with it. Right now my left arm is really only along for the ride so to speak and I can't really crank on it the way I would like to generate full power.
I have talked with more experienced swimmers who have gone through shoulder issues. I am just working through it and hope it will subside.
What is likely going on in my shoulder? Is it just inflamation? What advice can you give? Should I just work through it at reduced intensity? Any specific workouts in or out of the water to help? I am freestyle only.
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Former Member
I can't argue against seeing a skilled doctor.
But I think it is very possible for your shoulder pain to go away without any significant medical intervention.
A year ago I had consistent shoulder pain consistent with rotator cuff-related problems. I experienced the pain mostly during the recovery portion of butterfly. My shoulder had a clicking sound/feel when I lifted my arm while standing. I've had the pain for years - and I think it begain with a snow skiing fall, not swimming.
I saw an orthopedic skilled with sports injuries. Xrays showed nothing. Then an MRI, which, after I read through the medical mumbo-jumbo, didn't show anything conclusive at all. Since ibuprofen helped, the doc was not alarmed. He prescribed PT, which I ignored. I continued to swim, but with more attention to warmup and continued work on my elbow position underwater.
Now the pain is largely gone. I think my conditioning is much better than a year ago and the joint bears less strain than before.
I can't argue against seeing a skilled doctor.
But I think it is very possible for your shoulder pain to go away without any significant medical intervention.
A year ago I had consistent shoulder pain consistent with rotator cuff-related problems. I experienced the pain mostly during the recovery portion of butterfly. My shoulder had a clicking sound/feel when I lifted my arm while standing. I've had the pain for years - and I think it begain with a snow skiing fall, not swimming.
I saw an orthopedic skilled with sports injuries. Xrays showed nothing. Then an MRI, which, after I read through the medical mumbo-jumbo, didn't show anything conclusive at all. Since ibuprofen helped, the doc was not alarmed. He prescribed PT, which I ignored. I continued to swim, but with more attention to warmup and continued work on my elbow position underwater.
Now the pain is largely gone. I think my conditioning is much better than a year ago and the joint bears less strain than before.
