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Shoulder Trouble
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 2009-08-20 8:13 AM |
Veteran  139   Metairie |  Subject: Shoulder TroubleI have been TRI training since roughly April. I have never been a runner or a cyclist. I have swam competitively for most of my life since 9th grade. |
| 2009-08-20 2:36 PM in reply to: #2359656 |
Expert 2547  The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: Shoulder Trouble It a classic case of poor body rotation. You breathe to the right, so you rotate well to the right so as to breathe easier. Since you don't breathe to the left, you aren't rotating as much to the left and this forces your shoulder to do more work on the recovery. Ideally your shoulder will be pretty much making an up and down motion when you have a good body rotation. When you swim flat your shoulder has to make a circular motion and this causes some tendons to rub everytime you recover. If you do it enough you get tendonitis and a shoulder problem. Good Luck with it, I know injuries are very frustrating.
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| 2009-08-20 2:57 PM in reply to: #2360820 |
Veteran 139 Metairie | Subject: RE: Shoulder Trouble tjfry - 2009-08-20 2:36 PM It a classic case of poor body rotation. You breathe to the right, so you rotate well to the right so as to breathe easier. Since you don't breathe to the left, you aren't rotating as much to the left and this forces your shoulder to do more work on the recovery. Ideally your shoulder will be pretty much making an up and down motion when you have a good body rotation. When you swim flat your shoulder has to make a circular motion and this causes some tendons to rub everytime you recover. If you do it enough you get tendonitis and a shoulder problem. Good Luck with it, I know injuries are very frustrating.
I totally agree, here is my question though: Should I lay off swimming until it is pain free and then head back to the pool or do I go bi-lateral now and suffer a little pain. I don't want to do further damage. I went out yesterday to try an easy swim and force myself to go bilateral (paid no attention to clock at all just stroke and breathing); it was uncomfortable breathing to the left, but doable. Problem was, there was still pain (not usually when left side breathing though). As your article mentioned, the problem is in the recovery, not during the catch. I guess when I was younger and doing 10,000 a day, I was able to go without pain because I was . . . younger. LOL getting old sucks, but I should end up with a better stroke because of it. ETA: the pain is also bad in streamline position, that seems to put the stress in just the right spot to hurt like hell! Edited by bufit323 2009-08-20 3:04 PM |
| 2009-08-20 10:14 PM in reply to: #2359656 |
Expert 2547 The Woodlands, TX | Subject: RE: Shoulder Trouble If you can lift your arm straight up and down (from the side of your body) without pain, then I would try and mimic that in the pool. If that hurts, then give it a rest and some ice. Streamline - not sure about that one. since there isn't any movement in the shoulder, my guess is that your muscles are squeezing the tender area while you stay streamlined. I wouldnt think that is a big deal, but probably worth avoiding for a little bit. |
| 2009-08-21 7:48 AM in reply to: #2359656 |
| Member 65 | Subject: RE: Shoulder Trouble Hi, I'm also a long term swimmer trying out triathlons. One of the reasons I'm doing it is because I've had to do a lot of cross training due to rotator cuff issues (tendonitis, bursitis, inflammation etc..) My doctor gave me a cortisone shot (which helped a lot) and I have laid off of swimming until recently and now am only doing 2000 yards once a week with a lot of breast stroke and kicking. I've also been doing rotator cuff exercises with a rubber band on the door. There are good examples online (sorry I don't have a link) - essentially you tuck your arm against your side with your forearm sticking out infront of you (90 degree angle), keeping your elbow against your side, you pull on the rubberband and rotate your forearm left and right. THese have also helped along with ice & ibus. It seems this kind of injury requires a lot of down time. Good luck |
| 2009-08-21 7:55 AM in reply to: #2359656 |
| Expert 626 | Subject: RE: Shoulder Trouble bufit323 you will need to rest it until pain free, if it is tendonitis. Ice, ibuprofen and physical therapy to strengthen opposing muscles. Good luck, be patient. |
| 2009-08-21 8:28 AM in reply to: #2359656 |
Master 1790 Tyler, TX | Subject: RE: Shoulder Trouble +1 on correcting your stroke mechanics. A was a (rather mediocre) college swimmer and took lots of years off before getting back to swimming/triathlon. I assumed my stroke was still good, but it clearly it had deteriorated badly and led to a shoulder problem. Yes, the shoulder exercises help, but it is more important to get your stroke mechanics down properly or the problem won't disappear. I ended up taking 6 months out of the water and doing lots of physical therapy. I did a lot of what you'll find here: http://dartswim.com/USASWeb/ViewMiscArticle.aspx?TabId=445&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US&mid=702&ItemId=700 Brian |
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