Getting back in the pool, increasing yardage and work intensity brought with it some shoulder pain. With some adjustments and patience I was able to overcome the tender shoulders, but today I felt a twinge in my left elbow. Is this a common pain I should be aware of? Is there a common stroke weakness this could be indicating? :dunno:
Former Member
Could be a case of swimmer/tennis elbow, "mild"-tendonitis. Happens to me the first couple of weeks when I am getting back in the pool after a long layoff. Coach told me to watch my catch point keeping my elbow up (still want to rotate though), doctor said on top of this I would need to build forearm strength (basically forearm tendon pulling at the attachment to my radius or ulna) which will happen over time in the water if I don't do to much to fast. Basically slow it down, work on form and don't push the yardage or pace to much to early when coming back from an extended layoff . . . oh yeah, old stand by, if it is too painful rest, ice and advil.
T
Tyler,
Thanks for the information and advice. My last couple of swims have been relatively pain free so maybe things are getting stronger. I've changed my stroke somewhat and the change might have caught the old body off guard.
I've found there are a couple of common things to check on with shoulder/elbow pain:
1)swinging the recovery arm too far medially (elbow crosses the midline of the body - think zipper drill gone too far) - this jams the shoulder joint
2) internally rotating the arm (thumb down on entry, compounded by crossing over) and then applying force on the arm in a downward direction - most common when breathing
3)overtraining without enough rest or pushing too hard (OCD)
I'm a little late in replying but here is what happens to me after mile number 4. My elbows ache. What it is for me is my arm is "too locked" into place and not relaxed enough. The minute this happens, I make sure I completely relax my arm and it eventually subsides some. Now I am making sure my elbow is not "locked" in a continual position both underwater during the pull moving into the recovery portion and that when I am moving from the recovery phase to the catch phase that it is as relaxed as possible. These things make a big difference.
I'm a little late in replying but here is what happens to me after mile number 4. My elbows ache. What it is for me is my arm is "too locked" into place and not relaxed enough. The minute this happens, I make sure I completely relax my arm and it eventually subsides some. Now I am making sure my elbow is not "locked" in a continual position both underwater during the pull moving into the recovery portion and that when I am moving from the recovery phase to the catch phase that it is as relaxed as possible. These things make a big difference.
This is some of the best advice ever - I have the exact same problem with hyperextension pain, and this really helps! Thanks! :)
