Shoulder Problem

Calbear7 · 03-28-2009, 12:26 AM

I am trying to be proactive about something I noticed about two weeks ago. The first time was when I was military pressing that my left shoulder was weaker than my right I was pressing the barbell at a slant and had to physically focus much more on my left side to complete the press. A week later on both bench and incline hammer press the same thing happened, little to no pain just a feeling that there was a large strength drop off on the left during pressing motions. Shoulder protraction sends a numb pain down the arm but that is the only actual pain I feel with any movements. The biceps tendon seems inflammed as well and the pec minor tie in to the shoulder.
Thanks,
James

1. When did the pain begin?
About two weeks ago I noticed the problem.

2. What were you doing at the time? Or did the pain come on gradually over time?
I first noticed the problem during Military Presses and again a week or so later during bench press and incline hammer press.

3. Where, anatomically, is the pain?
I think that it is in the pec minor along with the AC joint and biceps tendon.

4. What does the pain feel like? Sharp? Dull? Aching? Stabbing? Shooting?
Dull

5. Is the pain constant, or intermittent, or only on certain motions?
Only on certain motions

6. What motions make your pain worse?

Pressing

7. What, if anything, makes your pain better?
ibuprofen
8. Does your pain radiate to any other part of your body?
NO

9. What things could you do before, that you cannot do now because of your injury?

Pressing Motions

10. What is your main concern regarding the pain and its consequences?

I am worried about further injury to the shoulder, as well as loss of strength

11. Have you ever injured that part of your body before? If so, how?
2 AC joint separations in rugby

CoQ10 · 03-28-2009, 10:06 AM

Could be a number of things. First thing that comes to mind is biceps tendinitis. Have you tried taking time off? Do you need to continue pressing movements for a sport? If not, you may want to consider a week or two of complete rest followed by several weeks of pulling movements only. Once you return to pressing, try using dumbbells only and limiting ROM for a while. Icing post-workout is always a good idea as well.

Good luck.

-C10

Calbear7 · 03-28-2009, 12:12 PM

C10,

Thanks for the quick reply. I am thinking bicep tendonitis as well, so i've quit pressing for now and am just going to do pulls, row etc when I get back into it for a few weeks. Forgive my horrible understanding of anatomy though, but does bicep tendonitis interfere with pressing strength?

CoQ10 · 03-28-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calbear7

C10,

Thanks for the quick reply. I am thinking bicep tendonitis as well, so i've quit pressing for now and am just going to do pulls, row etc when I get back into it for a few weeks. Forgive my horrible understanding of anatomy though, but does bicep tendonitis interfere with pressing strength?

Absolutely. Biceps tendinosis has prevented full-ROM pressing for me for well over a year. It's frustrating, but there are ways to work around it.

-C10

UConnJulie · 03-30-2009, 11:11 AM

You need to work on scapular stabilization ... lower and mid trap work.