General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming? Rss Feed  
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Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
OptionResults
Yes, I have shoulder pain when I swim9 Votes - [6.57%]
No, I don't have shoulder pain when I swim42 Votes - [30.66%]
I used to have pain when I swim, but no longer do23 Votes - [16.79%]
I used to be pain free, but now have pain when I swim4 Votes - [2.92%]
I may experience some pain if weight training was done within 24 hours4 Votes - [2.92%]
I have shoulder pain when I move my arm a certain way and swimming is one13 Votes - [9.49%]
I avoid certain strokes because of shoulder pain.3 Votes - [2.19%]
I don't swim with my shoulders so... No1 Votes - [0.73%]
Occasionally21 Votes - [15.33%]
When I become tired and allow my form to break down.9 Votes - [6.57%]
My shoulder only hurts when I lift weights but swimming it is fine3 Votes - [2.19%]
I have shoulder pain when I don't stretch and lift properly2 Votes - [1.46%]
Had pain when using paddles1 Votes - [0.73%]
I have shoulder pain while doing long kick sets with a kickboar1 Votes - [0.73%]
pain comes AFTER swimming. AC separation gone bad.1 Votes - [0.73%]
This is a multiple choice poll.

2011-03-02 9:37 PM

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Coach
9167
5000200020001002525
Stairway to Seven
Subject: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I'm taking an informal survey about shoulder pain and swimming. Many high volume swimmers in youth through collegiate programs develop significant shoulder pain along the way. Lots burn out/retire/need surgery, etc. Others have trouble swimming due to previous shoulder injuries or surgeries.

I swim in a way that minimizes shoulders stress & strain and rarely have pain when I swim, so I consider myself fortunate. What about you? Please answer the poll question adn include specific if possible, and what you did or have tried to solve the problem, or what you think caused the problem.

Thanks!


2011-03-02 9:44 PM
in reply to: #3380269

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Elite
3067
200010002525
Cheesehead, WI
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I seem to only have slight issues when I've done weight training within a day of swimming. Typically, I'll adjust my stroke so that I'm not catching as far out front and engage my back muscles more..if that makes sense.
2011-03-02 9:59 PM
in reply to: #3380269

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Master
2484
2000100100100100252525
St. Louis
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I started simming just under 2 years ago and I'm in my mid forties.  Everything was going along fine for the first year.  In the second year, I started doing hard intervals and developed a constant ache in both shoulders.  Last August I went to PT which helped some then went to an Ortho in November and was told my Acromion (bone between your arm socket and Clavicle) is a little longer than most people.  He said to try PT and Cortisone and if that doesn't work, become a duatlete or get surgery.  I'm done with PT and had a couple Cortisone shots.  My plan now is to take it easy on the swim (I wasn't fast anyway) and I ice my shoulder after any swim where it gets sore.
2011-03-02 10:07 PM
in reply to: #3380269

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Veteran
200
100100
Auckland, NZ
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I voted no, but it is definitely something I'm wary of, and I have noticed as my distance and speed have increased that my right shoulder is starting to feel tired, but not painful, which I've attributed to pushing down too much when breathing (I breathe to the left)
2011-03-02 10:27 PM
in reply to: #3380269

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Pro
6520
50001000500
Bellingham, WA
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I have suffered shoulder pain in the past due to pushing myself too hard too soon. I have done that two of the last three seasons. This year I have taken a very gradual build in distance and intensity and feel great.
2011-03-02 10:46 PM
in reply to: #3380269

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Master
3127
2000100010025
Sunny Southern Cal
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?

Used to experience shoulder pain/injuries.  I finally figured out that it was being caused by  butterfly.  I haven't had pain in several years now since figuring that one out.  I think the stroke was causing an impingement injury.



2011-03-02 10:49 PM
in reply to: #3380269

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Expert
829
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Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I don't feel pain, but I've altered my swimming to get there.  Due to long ago injuries, and a shoulder that pops out of joint real easy as a result, I can't do a high elbow pull on my left side.  I have to just let the left arm dig down deep and pull through.  Doesn't hurt, but it does if I try and swim 'right'.
2011-03-03 8:47 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Member
81
252525
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I have pain in my left shoulder due to problems with my rotator cuff.  I have two exercises that strengthen the rotator cuff and so long as I due these exercises daily (especially if I want to swim more often) then I can still swim.

Over this winter I have concentrated on swimming using bi-lateral breathing and a major side benefit has been less pressure/problems with my left shoulder.  I had always breathed to my right side and now that I also breathe to my left side, my left shoulder is happier.
2011-03-03 8:47 AM
in reply to: #3380269

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Master
2372
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Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
Last year I had some shoulder pain, but only when my volume got high (for me) - 12-15k/week.
2011-03-03 8:53 AM
in reply to: #3380269

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Member
5452
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NC
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
When I started swimming four months ago, I had pretty aggravating biceps tendonitis (pain in shoulder).  Since then, the pain has improved.  I've been mindful of overdoing it and have avoided paddles.  So, swimming has eased my shoulder pain.
2011-03-03 8:56 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Subject: ...
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2011-03-03 8:59 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Champion
11989
500050001000500100100100100252525
Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I do not have any shoulder pain while swimming. I do have shoulder pain at other times doing other activities, but interestingly enough never when swimming.
2011-03-03 9:00 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Expert
793
500100100252525
South Florida
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I swam in high school (25 years ago) and started again 3 years ago. I don't swim anywhere near the volume I did then, but I do have occasional pain. It feels like a clicking/clunk in my right shoulder.  It only happens once in a while and usually goes away within 500-600 meters.
2011-03-03 9:03 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Extreme Veteran
330
10010010025
Addison
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
No issues when I swam as a youngster but then did absolutely no swimming for 9 yrs. Came back to swimming for tris and I do have shoulder pain. I suspect mine is due to a couple factors: 1.) bike wreck in '09 where I landed hard on my left side and since then my left shoulder has never been the same. 2.) I can't swim like I did as a kid (high turnover/windmilling...kind of like Janet Evans style, but not as fast), so trying to fix a bunch of stroke issues.
2011-03-03 9:18 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Bronze member
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I have had my shoulder feel like it has popped out of joint a couple of times when swimming. I have also had this happen when playing golf. I love swimming so I tried to fix my stroke. I hate golf so I just quit playing

The last time it happened was over a year ago. I was in the middle of an all out sprint and there it went. Ouch. I ended up with an inflamed rotator cuff. I did not get very much input from my swim "coach" so I hit the internet to try to fix the problem myself. I diagnosed my issue as not having a catch in my stroke, my arm being straight while in the water, and pushing my shoulder down into the water. So I took some time to teach myself a bent arm catch (along with other things but this is what I think relates to the shoulder issue the most) and have not had a problem since. I have not had any shoulder pain since.
2011-03-03 9:41 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Regular
101
100
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I swam competitively for 18 years, had shoulder pain most of high school and college, most severe the last year or two of college (D1). When I took up triathlon about 2 years ago, was also experiencing shoulder pain while swimming, but my new coach (2 months ago) caught that I was crossing over in my stroke, so I have focused on correcting that and no longer experience shoulder pain while swimming, now it hurts when I'm on the bike.


2011-03-03 9:55 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
Very, very occasionally and even then it's not "pain" but rather discomfort. Usually when I'm ramping back up from slacking off over the winter. It goes away after two/three weeks of three a week swims, though.

2011-03-03 10:13 AM
in reply to: #3380269

Elite
7783
50002000500100100252525
PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
No pain here.  I was a competitive swimmer for 10 years and never had any trouble then either.  Now my knees are another story altogether...
2011-03-03 10:15 AM
in reply to: #3380269

New user
66
2525
Raleigh, NC
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
When I got into tris last year I ended up with fairly sharp pain in my left shoulder that would take several days to subside. After the "injury" in the pool it would be bad enough that lifting my arm over my head was painful. I separated that shoulder a few years ago, but I think this pain was more related to the rotator cuff than the major muscles. I lift weights 4-5 days a week and tri/train on the side to stay in cardio shape, but the pain has gone away since I have started a long warmup and stretch routine prior to hitting the pool. I typically stretch my shoulders and arms for 10-15 minutes and then do 4-5 slow 50s with more stretching in between before I start my swim ladder. I have also found that I can't lift prior to swimming - I have to swim first and then lift. Interestingly enough, swimming first has me well warmed up for lifting, and I have eliminated forearm/elbow tendon pain that I used to get after high reps of pullups. Since I only race sprints, my swim workouts only comprise of 1000-1500 yards a couple times a week, depending on time. I have learned that stretching and proper warm up are key. Even though I'm only 31, I'm not 18 anymore!

Edited by jp4ncsu 2011-03-03 10:16 AM
2011-03-03 12:03 PM
in reply to: #3380269

Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
Only in my left shoulder, when my IM training distances were consistently in the 3000yd+ ranges.
Full-sleeved wetsuit seemed to make it worse.


Edited by lisac957 2011-03-03 12:03 PM
2011-03-03 12:06 PM
in reply to: #3380269

Regular
97
252525
Bloomington, IL
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
Been swimming 15+ years and am now swimming collegiately.  I will experience shoulder pain when doing long freestyle sets (X x 200+) or when doing pull sets.  I am a back stroker so when ever my shoulder starts to hurt I roll over to my back and do a 25/50 on my back then roll back over.  I do the same thing during the swim portion of tri's.  I like it a lot because my back is almost as fast as my free so it does not slow me down, and it gives me somewhat of a rest.  I probably do a quarter of the swim portion on my back.

One cause may be from breathing to the same side my whole life.  I breath to the left every stroke and it is my right shoulder that hurts.   Also, I seem to cross over my right arm when I pull which may be why it hurts.    

I have also broken both of my collar bones over 4 years ago (separate incidents), but have not had any discomfort due to that in the past.

Edited by dodgem 2011-03-03 12:08 PM


2011-03-03 1:11 PM
in reply to: #3380269

Veteran
459
1001001001002525
Indiana
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?

Beginning swimmer here - taking lessons since October.

Just once had outright pain, right shoulder - this was while in the process of incorporating some new techniques that I wasn't quite doing correctly yet.

I will get a bit of soreness in the same shoulder from time to time - when I swim very far (for me) and start getting fatigued. The technique issue that seems to help is when I bring my arm back close in to my body, instead of swinging out to the side. This is not what I would call real pain or consider an injury; more like I am just using it wrong so it gets sore, and then I try to focus on the correct technique.

2011-03-03 1:29 PM
in reply to: #3381274

Master
5557
50005002525
, California
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
When I was swimming competitively I think we probably saw a higher incidence of shoulder problems in our backstrokers.

In water polo, goalkeepers seem to get inflammation from blocking shots out wide. 
2011-03-03 1:36 PM
in reply to: #3380269

Master
2404
2000100100100100
Redlands, CA
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I started getting some pain in my left shoulder after a 12k week and it really hasn't gone away.  I wouldn't call it pain, but more of a numbing feeling.

I'm trying not to cross over as I think that may be the issue.
2011-03-03 1:44 PM
in reply to: #3381174

Veteran
270
1001002525
Burlington
Subject: RE: Do you suffer from shoulder pain while swimming?
I used to until I learned how to swim properly.  In the past I was not rotating enough in the water but still trying to do a high elbow which causes an unatural arm movement, the same movement that leads to a dislocated shoulder.  Since learning to rotate and adjusting my stroke the pain has gone away.
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