Shoulder Problems

The main reason I'm hesitant to take a NSAID before exercising is because back in college, I wore crappy shoes one day before I was to go out on a long hike with friends. By the end of the day, I was in so much pain, I literally could not stand up, but being stubborn, I took 4 Advil, and started to hike. 4 hours later, i popped 4 more, and continued like that for the rest of the weekend. It took 6 months of physical therapy, 2 months of crutches once I stopped the Advil and three years later, my ankles still bother me at times and are easily injured. Just from that weekend of extreme stupidity, I tend to be over cautious of using anything that can mask pain. If its hurting, I want to know. However, I think I will just take Advil at bedtime all week to hopefully get my shoulders really calmed down.

You took a LOT of Advil.

I'd also suggest ice after you swim and again at bedtime. Antiinflammatory agents might be a bit controversial, but I personally use Aleve when necessary (pain=inflammation).

Crap. I hate dealing with tendinitis. I have dealt with it in both ankles before, and definitely want to get it dealt with before it becomes very bad. Can I ask exactly what a "recovery swim" is? Usually when my shoulders are bugging me, i make sure i go easy for the night. If I am doing intervals, i do a very easy interval so my shoulders have time to rest between swims. If one stroke gives me more problems (usually back), i avoid it. If my shoulders start hurting, i rest, try a little stretching, and put on fins. If it doesn't help, i either just kick or get out. Usually I don't like to completely stop for more than a few days (although I did stop for a week earlier this month). I try to do more with stretching, going easy, and making sure I am listening to what my body is telling me. I have also found that taking Glucosamine has helped in the past, so I've been taking that again as well. I'll also stop stretching, or at least cut it way back. I never thought of it doing more harm than good. Right now my usual schedule is I swim from 6:30-7:45, go home, eat dinner, do RC exercises, then out come two ice packs. Even though my right shoulder is rarely painful, it always feels good to put an ice pack on it, so i have a feeling that there is trouble starting, and i am just keeping it at bay. I use Advil for pain/inflammation. My theory on anti-inflammatory meds is pretty much the same as yours, that if there is pain, there is inflation going on, and will use them when things get bad. However, I only take at bedtime to avoid hiding pain.

I think taking some NSAID's before swimming would be a grand idea. If there is inflamation and impingement the NSAID's will help to alleviate that issue when the joint is most active. We are not talking about rx pain killers here, I don't think you will be masking any real pain (I was once concerned about the same thing you are and found it to be untrue). As I was recovering from my shoulder problems I would swim free until I started to feel discomfort and then resort to kicking for the balance of my yardage or time. Today I rarely stretch before getting in the water. I will do some light stretches for my lats and triceps throughout the day, especially after a hard swim the night before, but nothing like I used to do. I find that about 400 yards of easy 50's gets me stretched out sufficiently to have a good workout.

I have the dang loose shoulders too, loose everything. I had to give up practicing shiatsu because my thumbs bend at the first joint at a 90 degree angle! I'm Gumby. One thing I feel compelled to point out, is if you have loose shoulder joints you should do everything you can to avoid side sleeping. Train yourself to sleep on your back with your arms down at your sides. It helps ALOT. Willow

I learned my lesson, but still prefer to be over cautious than reckless.

You took a LOT of Advil. I know people who live on this stuff. I rarely take it anymore. Not supposed to anyway since I'm doing prolotherapy. But too many anti-inflammatories, like cortisone, slow the healing process. You probably already know this. There is no evidence regarding the efficacy of glucosamine, but I know people that swear by it too. Lay off backstroke. Ramp up the kicking. Although I think it's a mistake to kick exclusively unless you really have to. It's too boring. You'd probably have better results by wearing some fins if needed and mixing in more kicking IMHO. Might not want to do consecutive killer workouts in a row and go one easy, one hard for awhile if you think you have tendonitis.

I have had shoulder problems since swimming in high school, genetic loosey goosey shoulders I guess. Anyhoo I changed one thing about freestyle and it helped tremendously but it is not "conventional". Rather than enter my hand sideways, my hand enters palm down, fingertips first, elbows high. After my hand enters I pull down a little and then scull outwards a bit. Does that make sense? I combined this with many of the RC and other stabilizing exercises on my off days or the night before a practice. It has made a huge difference. It is not for everybody but it worked for this long time tendonitis sufferer.

Do not use a kickboard! Sorry, should have mentioned. No need for a kickboard to kick and kick fast. Although I do like my monofin. No paddles either when shoulder are an issue. And don't put your hand in sideways. Argh. Ouch. I think you are correct on the sleeping issue. Alas, I am a side, squirmy, tossy sleeper. It's much better to sleep on the back. Easier said than done though. Maybe pillows would help. These days, when my shoulder/neck/trap is sore, I know it is very likely due to how I'm sleeping. Which is atrocious. Try and try again sleeping on your back, especially if you don't have sleep issues. Oh, and loosey goosey joints are no good for running either. Might as well stick with swimming. Loose ankles = running injury.