A plea for help from a dad

Former Member
Former Member
I apologize for posting this non Masters topic here but I honestly could not think of a better place to post. My just turned 13 rear old daughter was diagnosed with bursitis/impingement in her right shoulder in early August. She was experiencing popping/pain during all strokes at various phases. Seems she is paying the price for years of swimming Freestyle with an internally rotated right arm during recovery and catch. Her orthopedist prescribed 6 weeks of PT and no swimming for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, we chose a PT based pretty much on logistics. The initial visit consisted of a brief conversation about Ellen's swimming but nothing really specific. Then a quick range of motion exam followed by a two minute massage. The PT left for a few minutes and returned with a red Theraband and a generic rotator cuff rehab printout. We then proceeded to go through the exercises on the sheet. Twice a week for the next six weeks the visits involved a quick massage followed by Ellen going through the exercises that she had been doing religiously at home in front of the PT aid. I should also mention that there was very little emphasis put on stretching and no re-evaluation by a PT at any point in the process. After six weeks we returned to her Orthopedist. He was quickly able to recreate the dull thud that can be heard in Ellen's shoulder when she lifts her elbow from her side then brings it forward passing above her shoulder. He quickly prescribed six more weeks of PT which Ellen did at home. He also said she could begin swimming Breaststroke provided there was no pain. So here we are twelve weeks later. Ellen started swimming Freestyle last week. Three pain free practices, the fourth brought back the popping/pain. I am hoping there is somebody in the Westchester/Putnam area in New York who can recommend a good PT who works with swimmers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Parents
  • Here are my suggestions: 1. Find a coach in your area to look at her stroke and assess what she may be doing wrong. Terry Laughlin (Total Immersion) is in Rockland county I believe. 2. Find a sports medicine doctor who is familiar with swimming. 3. Have your daughter do kicking only workouts. It is amazing what you can do with kicking only workouts. 4. Don't ever have her use paddles. I had a shoulder problem a year ago and spent 3 months kicking and it worked out well for me (and I'm 59). I still do my shoulder exercises 2 times a week. I did the kicking with a snorkel so that my arms could be at my sides. I still do the kicking part of the workout that way. Good Luck!!!!
Reply
  • Here are my suggestions: 1. Find a coach in your area to look at her stroke and assess what she may be doing wrong. Terry Laughlin (Total Immersion) is in Rockland county I believe. 2. Find a sports medicine doctor who is familiar with swimming. 3. Have your daughter do kicking only workouts. It is amazing what you can do with kicking only workouts. 4. Don't ever have her use paddles. I had a shoulder problem a year ago and spent 3 months kicking and it worked out well for me (and I'm 59). I still do my shoulder exercises 2 times a week. I did the kicking with a snorkel so that my arms could be at my sides. I still do the kicking part of the workout that way. Good Luck!!!!
Children
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