Shoulder Pain While Squating

[canoscan]

After re-reading Starting Strength, it tells me that for a back squat it's better for the bar to on the backs of the shoulders. Though keeping a bar on my left shoulder makes it hurt. Could there be something wrong with my rotator cuff?

By the way, guess I should mention that squats is the only exercise I get any should pain from. And when the bar is higher on my back it doesn't hurt. (though i get bruises on my neck ahahahaha). Im not sure if its bad to have the bar there though.

[Lisa~]

I think if you had a rotator cuff injury (or any shoulder injury) that you would feel pain during other movements, especially overhead pressing and bench pressing.

No matter which bar position you use, high bar or low bar, you should not have bruising or pain. The bar should rest on your muscles (upper traps and rear delts), never on your spine (high bar) or the spine of your scapulae (low bar).

Here's an excellent instruction video on bar position. Hopefully it will help you determine what is going on in your own situation.

Squat Rx #4 - Bar Positioning and Squat Depth

[canoscan]

I don't have rear deltoids, ahahaha. I'm very scrawny, especially when it comes to upper body. So almost anywhere I put the bar it'll be resting on bone of some sort.

[Lisa~]

Then I hope one of your workout goals is to build some upper back mass. Then you squatting will become lots more comfortable. Deadlifts along with lots of calories will do the job faster than anything else.

[canoscan]

Originally Posted by Lisa~

Then I hope one of your workout goals is to build some upper back mass. Then you squatting will become lots more comfortable. Deadlifts along with lots of calories will do the job faster than anything else.

Yeah, my whole routine is based off the novice routine in practical programming

a. Deadlift
Bent over Row
Shoulder Press

b. squat
Bench
Pull Ups (using an assist machine until I can do the required reps with my body weight.

Im also eating a ton.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by canoscan

Yeah, my whole routine is based off the novice routine in practical programming

a. Deadlift
Bent over Row
Shoulder Press

b. squat
Bench
Pull Ups (using an assist machine until I can do the required reps with my body weight.

Im also eating a ton.

Try another kind of squatting for a while, until you get some padding/muscle up on the back.

Zercher squats (where the bar is held in the crook of the arms) or front squats might be better for you, until then.

Part of it is just getting used to the feeling. It used to hurt me. Now it doesn't. You might just do back squats as part of a warmup, to get used to the feeling, then build up to a heavy weight, later.

[cycomiko]

what type of bar are you using?

[UConnJulie]

Is it the bar resting on the shoulder that is painful, or holding your arm in that position that is painful?