I am a former high school and masters swimmer trying to get back in the water. I'm a breaststroker and never was much of a freestyler. I was always told "elbows high". My bad freestyle form has caught up with me. I'm going on 40 and the bad form just doesn't mix well with my aging body. Maybe I should have listened all those years ago-huh?
This summer I had a terrible case of tendonitis. I was in pain and had no idea why. I couldn't swim most of the summer. Thank God for a miracle cortisone shot! But, I still had to recover.
I'm ready to try again. I went to the pool today and did a 1650 in sets of 200's . Lots of kicking, and breastroke, mixed it up a lot. Trying to take it easy on the shoulder. Tonight, it's making the bad pop sound and a bit sore. I'm paranoid that it will flare up again.
I've been watching lots of u-tube technique videos. I know I need to keep my elbows higher and not dig in so much with my right arm. I'm overreaching as well. It's the right shoulder that hurts. Same stuff that I've been told to fix when I was a kid. I guess pain will make you listen.
I've also heard about breathing to the right instead of the left, I'm right handed. Does anyone think this helps? I try to breath bi-laterally when practicing.
It's so aggrivating. When you can't do something, you want to do it more than ever. I don't want to get the tendonitis again, it hurt so bad!
If anyone knows 1-2 excercises or tips to help with this I would appreciate it. I have a short attention span and can only hold onto a few bits of info. Looking for the most beneficial, simple, easy ideas.
Anyone had problems with this? Thanks, Lisa
I would suggest that you go see a physical therapist so that you can learn exactly how to take care of your shoulders. Because the muscles you need to work on are very small, it's easy when you are first learning the exercises to do them improperly, using the wrong muscles for the movement and thus accomplishing nothing. Also, some exercises that are appropriate for uninjured people may not be appropriate for you right now. (If less than 1650 makes your shoulder sore, you seem injured to me.)
If I were you, I would also cross the person who gave a cortisone shot without any accompanying PT off my list of doctors to see again.
Don't despair. Lots of dedicated swimmers have been where you are, and have used a good program of PT, RC exercises, and technique adjustment to keep on swimming well.
I would suggest that you go see a physical therapist so that you can learn exactly how to take care of your shoulders. Because the muscles you need to work on are very small, it's easy when you are first learning the exercises to do them improperly, using the wrong muscles for the movement and thus accomplishing nothing. Also, some exercises that are appropriate for uninjured people may not be appropriate for you right now. (If less than 1650 makes your shoulder sore, you seem injured to me.)
If I were you, I would also cross the person who gave a cortisone shot without any accompanying PT off my list of doctors to see again.
Don't despair. Lots of dedicated swimmers have been where you are, and have used a good program of PT, RC exercises, and technique adjustment to keep on swimming well.
