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.
I also am hesitant to tell you not to seek help, but here is my experience.
I experienced some left shoulder pain for a period of roughly 6 weeks, with onset a few months after I starting swimming around 3000 meters three to five times a week. I did not feel it was serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor, and it eventually went away. If I remember correctly, it was during a time when I was swimmimg mainly freestyle and working hard on lengthening my stroke and reducing my stroke count. I think I was trying to reach too far in front of me and leaning on my extended arm. Symptoms were pain on raising the arm with some numbness. It got to the point where it was uncomfortable to lay on it at night, but I never experienced any clicking or popping, and, if this makes any sense to you, it just felt like something that would resolve. I breathe to both sides, but tend to breathe to the right when sprinting or tired, which I believe stresses the left shoulder disproportionately. I am 45 with no history of shoulder problems.
Good luck to you.
I also am hesitant to tell you not to seek help, but here is my experience.
I experienced some left shoulder pain for a period of roughly 6 weeks, with onset a few months after I starting swimming around 3000 meters three to five times a week. I did not feel it was serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor, and it eventually went away. If I remember correctly, it was during a time when I was swimmimg mainly freestyle and working hard on lengthening my stroke and reducing my stroke count. I think I was trying to reach too far in front of me and leaning on my extended arm. Symptoms were pain on raising the arm with some numbness. It got to the point where it was uncomfortable to lay on it at night, but I never experienced any clicking or popping, and, if this makes any sense to you, it just felt like something that would resolve. I breathe to both sides, but tend to breathe to the right when sprinting or tired, which I believe stresses the left shoulder disproportionately. I am 45 with no history of shoulder problems.
Good luck to you.
