I have been having "issues" with my right shoulder/arm. I experience pain and general soreness through out the day, seems to get worse the more I am at the computer. What is wierd is that I swim 2800+ yards 4 times a week. After I get warmed up (about a 1000 yards,) I am pain free, no problems what so ever, feel great, pull as hard as I want....whats up with that?
I think, us swimmers, just overuse our shoulders. Mine tend to get sore at night as well when I do stuff like putting my hands on top of my head for a few minutes or leaning on my hand for a few minutes. I tend to just think they are tired from swimming. Shoulders just tighten up a bit after a swim. Your shoulders probably feel better after 1000 yards or so simply because they get more blood to them and loosen up.
From your description, everything sounds "normal" for a swimmer.
Our training is not natural. Man did not evolve to do swim workouts.
Former Member
Hey Hoosier,
Are you a mouse intensive computer user? I have experienced pain in my right arm and shoulder when I occasionally have to use the mouse a ton at the computer. Usually the mouse is off to the right side of the desk, and spending all day using puts your arm in a strange position, which can lead to strange pain. If you think this might be your problem, try moving you mouse closer to the center of your body or learn the keyboard shortcuts so you don't have to use the mouse so much (not always an option, depending on what you are doing).
Posture at the computer is also a big deal. My wife was having neck pain, and the problem was how she was using her work computer, not how she was swimming or how she was sleeping.
The center of your chest should point directly at the computer screen. Your computer screen should not be off to an angle. Your keyboard should be positioned so that G and H are lined up with the center of your chest. Minimize the use of your mouse, or move the mouse closer to the center line of your body. When you look at your computer screen, you should not be looking up or down, but when your neck is straight, your eyes should comfortably fall on the middle of the screen.
Most important is your posture in the chair. If you have a bad chair, do not depend on it to help you with your posture, but move forward in it a little and make a conscience effort to keep your back straight and up right without using the chair back. Do not slouch back in the chair and do not lean forward on your forearms.
Using a computer moves your shoulders forward from what would be a natural position. It is hard to keep your shoulders back while you use the computer, so instead stop using the computer. :)
Once an hour stand in your office, do a few shoulder rolls, and pec stretches. Maybe walk to the water fountain with you shoulders back, but give your body a break from your forward should slouched position.
Hopefully this will help.
