Who has shoulder pain, any remedy
Elk
Avid bow hunter here, but both of my shoulders ach especially after working out, who has had similar problems and how did you fix it.
Don't know where they hurt. There are different kinds of shoulder pain. Mine hurt in the top of the joint. I do exercises for mine. Google " shoulder impingement exercises " and see if they help.
I am getting physical therapy.....
Go to PT for some exercises. I had impingement surgery in my right shoulder 5 years ago. Beginning to feel the same symptoms in my left. Hopefully doing PT will negate the need for future surgery.
Do rotator cuff exercises. Most people's shoulders are rounded forward which disrupts proper articulation of the humeral head. Strengthening the rotator muscles will help "realign" the joint.
Stand relaxed arms at your side, if your thumbs point inward your shoulders are rounded forward. It is very common due to daily work and even sitting at a desk as all of your chores are in front of you causing the shoulders to roll forward.
The exercises are small and tedious but effective unless you have tears, spurs, or actual damage. Either way they should help. Shoulders are delicate as they are not a true joint and take a lot of time to heal. Resistance bands and static holds are good safe movements.
a good start would be to go to a good orthopedist and find out what the problem is...you could be doing more harm than good doing the wrong type of exercise or self prescribing a course of PT.
I gotta agree with jj 100% here. You need to find out what is causing the pain and STOP doing it. Then, you need to manage the inflammation and begin doing appropriate rehab exercises.
How old are you? What kind of exercises are causing this? Bench?, work on your from and don't do flat bench. Flat bench is one movement responsible for majority of shoulder injuries in the gym. Unless you are a competitive power lifter, don't flat bench at least with enormous amounts of weight.
Personally I wouldn't go to the doctor over an ache. That will lead to meds, MRI's etc.. before you know it you're 2k+ in the hole just to be told its probably arthritis or a strained rotator cuff and told to just rest it. Injured shoulders will hurt w/out a load, and under weight bearing situations (as you described) you will absolutely know something is wrong not just an ache afterwards.
Shoulders are delicate and if something is truly wrong you will know it.
Thats my take on this. I work in health care and watch worry warts spew money (theirs and ours) over minuscule aches and pains. But if you're the type who loves doctors offices and numerous tests for piece of mind go for it.
Thanks you all for your opinions on this matter, I am 49 yrs old. I've been an avid weight lifter since I was 14, a power lifter as well. My winter workouts include swimming. My pain is in fron of the shoulder, possibly tendinitis or arthurititis. Been icing and stretching. My pain comes when doing some bench press or overhead presses. Looks like I'll do lots of cardio while this discomfort goes away not bad but it's a but nagging. Hopefully I'll be better for 2015 archery season..
It may be osteoarthritis I have it, glucosamine and chondroitin that works wonders if that's what you have I would try it for a month see if it helps.
I have a 10-2 rotator cuff tear in my left (bow) arm. PT helps tremendously but without it certain motions are guaranteed to cause shooting pain and popping. Drives me nuts.
Here is my two cents. I am not a doctor, nor do I work in the health care field. I am not diagnosing you, nor telling you what to do.
IF IT WERE ME, and I had pain in the front of my shoulder I would do the following:
Stop all benching and overhead pressing immediately
Stop all swimming and find another form of cardio
Ice heavily and take Ibuprofen
Once inflammation is down and pain is reduced I would begin rotator cuff rehab exercises.
Gradually ease back into weightlifting, but I would either 1) eliminate flat bench and overhead presses or 2) modify them so that my elbows are not going past a 90 degree bend. Both of these lifts put tremendous strain on your rotator cuff once you go past 90 degrees and you derive very little additional benefit from doing so. Overhead shoulder raises are another no-no for me.
This is based on my own shoulder experiences and the doctor's advice and research I have done on my own. Take it FWIW.
Good luck!
I agree with jjb4900, and tell you to see an Orthepaedic Doctor.
Only a Doctor can give you a correct diagnosis on your pain and injury, if any injury at all, and recommend specific plans to treat your illness.
Shoulder pain, been there, done that, got the T Shirt. Smartest thing I did was see a Doctor.
What was wrong with me, Infraspinitous Muscle Tear, and Physical Therapy that cured me, might not be anywhere close to what is wrong with you.
See a Doctor, and beware of anyone who tells you not to see a doctor.
JLS, totally agree,if you're in pain your body is telling you to stop. I have bone chips in my Elbow that has messed up pressing movements for me so I use lighter weight and focus more on exercises that I can do.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aFrXXc3spaM
Here is somethin to chew on. The movements are small and light targeting the overlooked rotator cuff.
Injury in power lifting is almost as sure as paying taxes. You may get away with it for awhile but its all a matter of time.
I'll add this.. I've crossed paths with very few good doctors, there are far too many hacks out there. It amazes me they haven't lost their license.. the thing is the general public doesn't know any better.
Usually a doctor visit is last resort for me unless its obvious and hanging on by only a piece of skin.
Go to an orthopedic surgeon and let dr determine what the problem is. Then, you'll know proper direction to go.
Bowsite MD is not the audio. To your problem. It's just a collection of experiences.
"audio" should be "solution". Brain thoughts are faster than fingers.
I have had shoulder pains 3 times in my life- resulting in 2 bad rotator cuffs and a bad disk in neck. A pain is nothing more than an indication of a problem. Shoulder pain can result from many areas of the upper body. Get good medical advice and get pointed in the right direction to solving you problem.
For about a year I had pain in both shoulders. Disrupted sleep. I kept shooting daily anyway. Went to doctor and several visits to physical therapist. Applied exercises assigned regularly. Little relief. Then hired an archery coach. Once he got me to shoot properly, all ailments went away. From what I learned, I see way too many people now at the archery range with improper form. If they don't already have shoulder problems, they will soon. So my advice, start with form coaching. Scott
" I am 49 yrs old. I've been an avid weight lifter since I was 14, a power lifter as well."
I'm going to bet you have rotator tear.
Go see a ortho Dr that specializes in shoulder injury.
PT will not cure the tear.
A tear will trigger sharp pain with a particular movement as little as turning a steering wheel. Bowhunter has bilateral aches.
If I were to take buffalos advice, I'd spend more time in the doctors waiting room than I do at work.
I found that certain exercises bothered my shoulders, like bench press, stopped doing them and pain went away, shooting a bow regularly isn't great for your rotators either, I only shoot a month before the season and during when I get time, I don't even look at my bows until then. Next time I fling a arrow will be in Mid May in preperation for the spring bear hunt
carcus, when I told the doc I was a bowhunter, he said the same as you reported. Practicing with a bow is not good for the rotator cuffs.
some years ago I had a shoulder go. went to the doctor and they scheduled an MRI to see what surgery I was going to need. this happened during spring turkey season and I was talking about it on one of these hunting websites.
a member that I believe is on this website from time to time even PM'd me, and told me he was a chiropractor and that he felt before surgery I should try that avenue. so, I set up an appointment with our local bonecracker. it took 4 sessions before the problems was completely cured, and that was many years back now with no more problems to report. might be worth a shot
Sadly huntnmules that happens all the time. Surgery=$in pocket. And shoulder surgery is not end all. My uncle who is a Chiro had shoulder sx a long time ago due to an accident. He swears he thinks it was better before the sx.
Strengthen the rotator cuff and if those tiny movements cause pain then pursue professional help. I'll take a good Palmer educated Chiro over some hack primary care md any day! Heavy emphasis on PALMER.
When I play a lot of tennis...my right shoulder pain goes away. I think it helps work out the adhesions from an old injury I had.
Also, I do a lot of pushups and tricep lifts during the course of a week...seems to cut down the shoulder discomfort for whatever reason.
Best of Luck, Jeff
There are a lot of really good exercises for stabilizing, strengthening, and stretching the shoulder. When you think about the amazing range of motion a should/arm has, and all the different muscles to achieve that movement, it makes sense to develop a regular stretch/exercise routine to help it out.
I had shoulder pain due to AC Joint issues. Small growths in the gap of the AC joint causing inflammation and pain when drawing my bow. Doc said that this type of shoulder issue is typical for men over 40 that have been benchpressing, pitching a baseball, and archery. He gave me a shot of steroid and cortisone cocktail for the inflammation. He said this type of shoulder pain will usually work itself out. It did. Lucky me cause the next step was surgery. I agree with others. Go to the doc and get a proper diagnosis.
Get an MRI that will tell the story, I have 3 tears in one shoulder an my PT talked me in getting taken care of. couldn't even shoot my bow right , no strength. Hunt all of the time and do crossfit 3 times a week. getting fixed in Dec ,so I will be ready to bring home my bull in 2015,, Just didn't have a good shot this year but was great saw a lot of everything,, Wish I was 30 again , not bad for 62,an we rough it. Bill Ps also two knees replaced,,,,,,,,
I have had four shoulder surgeries all for different reasons. You need to see a qualified orthopedic surgeon to let you know what the problem is. Based on your report I would suggest that you have over developed your front shoulder muscles compared to the rear and repudiative motion is causing inflammation. My biggest cause of problems.
Haven't read any of the posts so this probably been said in some form.
I have had surgery on both shoulders-the right one three times-it is now toast and I have to shoot a X-bow. If I had it do over, I would never have had the last two surgeries. The left shoulder is now about 85% and at my age, 70, that is fine.
First step is to consult one or more specialist in shoulder problems. Most will give it to you straight. A few will suggest surgery. DO NOT have any surgery until you have at least three separate opinions. Many shoulder problems that exhibit the same symptoms you describe can be cured with PROPER exercise.
Fatigue shoulder pain can result from various things. However, usually it can be cured or greatly improved by simple stretching and strengthening of the right muscles. I would consult a certified physical therapist before ever considering any surgery.
I shot a bow from 75-300 times a day for over four years. I am sure that greatly contributed to my shoulder problems. However, I never shot without stretching and warming up. I evaluated bows for a magazine. As a result, I might shoot a bow 25-times, rest a few minutes, then shoot again and do that with two or three bows a day. All bows were set at 60# and I can tell you, that is not something you should do. When shooting a bow for practice, as soon as you show any signs of tiredness or pain...QUIT and rest. You have shot enough for the time being.
Pain will get tired of hurting after a while normally and just keep working through it.
I have been lifting for 35 years I was a very successful compettive natural bodybuilder and understand the way our bodies work,.
You are not going to devlop any more strength or muscle at your age...back WAAAY of on any heavy workouts and strive to use much lighter weights with more intesity keeping good form. Don't hit a body part more than once a week...you should be working to remind your muscles to stay around... DONT try and keep the strength you had when you were thirty...you are asking for trouble and injury. Dump the bench press and military...there are super machines in almost any gym now that isolate you muscles much better. Think health and fitness... "working thorugh injury" is the quick pat to the surgeons knife...work around injury and let it heal. Train with your brain....
The stretchy rubber bands are superb for us "mature" folks. But again, I strongly suggest you consult a physical therapist to get you on a proper routine.
bicipital tendonitis is another possibility. I am just completing some rehab for this. Been bothering me for several months. I could barely hold my bow up i had lost enough strength in my shoulder. Shoulder can be tricky. Good luck to all with that injury.
Get it checked out either go straight to a PT in your area, or schedule an appointment with the local orthopedist (most states PT's have direct access and a referral is not necessary if you prefer to skip that step, most surgeons prefer to try conservative first before going under the knife regardless). Even if it is a cuff tear, I can a lot of times get people back to close to full functioning while avoiding surgery. Newsflash, if you take an MRI of 100 people 50 and older, close to 50 of them will have rotator cuff tears in some way, shape, or form; and only 5 to 10 of them will notice anything in their day to day lives suggesting a tear or pain, a tear doesn't necessarily mean you NEED surgery.
I don't know how many times I've had patients come in reading some random things on the internet and self-diagnose themselves on webMD or bowsite haha, and 9x out of 10 end up making it worse than when they started. Moral of the story, I would stay off of the bowsite professionals and go find a real one. And no I'm not a hack, I'm a board certified Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Voltaren Gel is a miracle cream. Prescription. My son got it for shin splints, but on occasional shoulder pain, works overnight.
35 years of weightlifting an your at the perfect age to begin to get these symptoms.
Stop lifting weights for several months! Many permanently. You can stay in shape without lifting weights. You are 49 so how much longer do you think your body can take lifting weights? It has been 35 years bro. You are wearing yourself out to fast. Ease up
One more thing - even if PT works it can take 6 months or more to get "right".
Bowhunter, Look up or ask a trainer about an exercise called YTW's. I do them all the time, especially before I work out. I do two sets of ten all three movements in a set and ten or twenty push ups before I shoot. Makes a world of difference. Good luck.
Voltaren Gel is a miracle cream. Prescription. My son got it for shin splints, but on occasional shoulder pain, works overnight.
yes, it does help. It is an anti-inflamatory but use sparingly. It can cause problems with your liver and your kidneys.
I was on Voltaren pills for many years. They worked wonders with my joint injuries and pain. I had to quit taking them a month ago due to an abnormal kidney reading. However, I am still allowed to use the cream.
And, just BTW unless your insurance covers it, it is about $80 a tube. Fortunately, I get mine free. Also, it is by Rx only, not over the counter...or under.
I used to compete in bow pulling contests, pulling compounds and recurves to my body weight. To work out, I built my own compounds, one with leaf springs off a Ford truck for limbs because I didn't want them breaking (pulled 135#). I would pull that bow as many times as I could in a row. I also shot bows in the 80-90# class in tournaments. And I weighed under 160#.
I only hurt my shoulder twice doing all that, and both times I quit shooting for a bit and recovered nicely. But when a horse ran over me in 2006 it changed everything. Tore my rotator cuff. Doc suggested surgery, but I refused. Had a knee surgery not go well in 2001 and didn't want a repeat of that. Went to PT a couple of times and then did the rest at home.
For two years I couldn't lift a milk jug without pain or couldn't comb my hair without two hands. But slowly it got better. When I quit the PT workouts it would hurt more, even though the small movements and exercises they had me do I didn't think would help, but they did. Do them!
I also discovered I could kill a deer with a 65# bow. And I left it there. Can't pull the workout bow anymore, but I also don't have pain anymore.
