Hi everyone. I have been doing the interval based workouts posted on the workout section and really enjoying them. However, whenever I try to move up to a faster interval (and add more yards) my left shoulder gets very sore. Does any one have suggestions on how I can strengthen my shoulders to help handle more yards?
There isn't a master's team where I live, but the age group couch has "stroke clinics" for adults that I have been going to once a week to make sure I am using good technique and am not injuring myself with strokes.
Thanks in advance!
~Nicole
I think if/when I go to the doc for my shoulder, I need to try to find a different doctor. His advice for any injury has always been rest and physical therapy. And stopping whatever activity caused the injury has always been suggestion #1.
I went that route too. It didn't work and I sought other answers. In my own experience, it's best to question this type of canned response. Indeed, I seem to recall Jayhawk posting an article in a thread awhile ago opining that one should NOT rest to cure an injury. There are alternative treatments. Interestingly, it seems I know more triathletes than swimmers that use them. I don't know why.
If you find your shoulders hurting again, and PT isn't helping, try ART. www.activerelease.com. There are several swimmers on this forum that do ART. I think it's much more effective in battling shoulder tendonitis than PT, when combined with RC exercises.
For those considering a non-surgical alternative to shoulder issues or an escape from chronic tendonitis or tendonosis, check out www.treatingpain.com/.
I've had four prolotherapy treatments, but I'm switching over to plasma regeneration next month. My doc estimates it's covered by insurance 75% of the time and that it's more effective, more quickly than prolo.
I think if/when I go to the doc for my shoulder, I need to try to find a different doctor. His advice for any injury has always been rest and physical therapy. And stopping whatever activity caused the injury has always been suggestion #1.
I'll definitely consider looking into ART if my shoulder doesn't respond to the RC exercises. I looked at the page, and unfortunately, the closest ART person is over an hour away. I might also get the book they have, and see what I can do on my own.
Thanks for all your advice! You rock!
I've had on and off shoulder problems for several years and did the rotator cuff exercises with bands and weights. i kind of just gave up casue i didn't hurt that bad. last october, i started doing this weight training routine to get stroner for tri-training but it had the unexpected benefit of virtually eliminating my shoulder problems.
My upper body exercisers are:
1. bench press
2. biceps
3. triceps
4. lat pull downs
5. dumbell pullovers
6. and one i don't know the name of but you use very, very light weights, start with arms out to you side palms down, lift both arms out to the side and when your arms are straight out to the side rotate your palms and finish raising your arms till they are straight over head.
i only do 2 sets of 10-12 of each twice a week.
i guess i just needed the balance!
good luck...
Its been a few weeks, so I thought I'd post an update. I've been doing the RC exercises regularly, around 4-5 days a week, and things have been improving. I had one set back about a week and a half ago (mainly due to my stupidity), but seem to be headed back on the right track. I have also started warming up with fins on, no matter how my shoulders feel. This seems to make a huge difference for me.
As for the sleeping on the back issue, i think i finally have figured out a partial solution. I bought a memory foam mattress cover, along with a more supportive neck pillow yesterday, and I finally managed to fall asleep on my back and wake up in the same position. If it works, it will definitely be worth the money.
