General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Shoulder Pain Rss Feed  
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2008-09-19 8:06 PM

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Subject: Shoulder Pain
I am experiencing piercing shoulder pain (rotate cuff) when I swim. Any ideas on how to correct this technique? Also - does anybody have physical therapy exercises to strengthen my rotater cuffs?


2008-09-19 8:58 PM
in reply to: #1685393

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Shoulder Pain
First question, do you breath only on one side or do you alternate? If only one side, easy answer is alternate. Either go left right left breath right left right breath etc, or just do like 10 strokes left 10 right or whatever, but you have to give that shoulder a break if you are not alternating.

If you are alternating... not sure tell us more.
2008-09-20 7:29 AM
in reply to: #1685393

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Master
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Subject: RE: Shoulder Pain
I had pain on the top-front of my left shoulder this summer. Someone here on BT suggested that shoulder pain could be caused by having your hand cross over the center line on the pull. That was what I was doing, and when I corrected it, the pain went away. That's one possible cause.
2008-09-20 8:56 AM
in reply to: #1685702

Champion
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Subject: RE: Shoulder Pain

You're OK breathing to one side; that's not going to cause shoulder pain. The pain could be caused by problems with your stroke, but you don't have to bilateral breathe to have a good stroke. Just sayin. I am by no means a swim expert, but I know some VERY good swimmers who don't bilateral breathe.

I can't prescribe any exercises, but you might want to consider seeing a physical therapist or rolfer or something to help. The rotator cuff is made up of a group of muscles. A good stretch is to put your hand (of the sore shoulder) on the back of your head. Then, put your elbow (side that's exposing inside of arm) against a doorway and move forward so it's essentially pushing the elbow & back. You'll feel the stretch.

2008-09-20 2:17 PM
in reply to: #1685393

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Subject: RE: Shoulder Pain
I breath on both sides (every 3rd stroke) and will swim slower to make sure I do not cross over. This is my first time back in the pool in about 4 weeks - is going from 0 to 1500 really that bad?
2008-09-20 3:20 PM
in reply to: #1685910

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Subject: RE: Shoulder Pain
Another couple of thoughts:

1) Is your thumb down during your entry? This can really torque on the shoulder.
2) Are you pulling with too much shoulder and not enough of your lats?


Are you sure you haven't aggrevated a previous/existing injury? I go in for an MRI on Tuesday looking for a torn labrum and/or rotator cuff.....Due to a bike crash back in early June.


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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Shoulder Pain Rss Feed