Another shoulder ? for Bill (impingement related)

[kinney1]

Bill,
I have a shoulder impingment in my right shoulder and I am currently receiving treatment from sports chiropractor. I know that I can do rows for my upper body, but are there any other upper body exercises considered to be safe for people with impingments? Benching and pushups irriatate it, so I am currently avoiding them. Should I just do rows for a while while it heals? Thanks.
-Kevin

[Jean-Paul]

Can I interject a question here? If you have a shoulder problem, why in god's name are you going to chiropractor? Go to an orthopod, or a physical therapist. Are you icing at all? Taking anti-inflammatories? Have you tried resting it for a week or two yet?

Have you tried dumbbell chest press? You can angle your wrists so that your arms are in a more natural neutral position, which may help.

Also, see Bill's "statute of fitness limitations" as a general guide to rehab. If pushups irritate your shoulder, then by all means don't do them.

Good luck, and now I step aside for the real pro! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[kinney1]

Hey JP,
I should of provided more info. I have seen an orthopod. and I am taking anti-inflamatories as well. I have done some icing, but probably should do it more consistently. I have tried rest, and I have been battling this impingment for close to 4 years. I have been going to the chiro for rehab (right or wrong?)

I have not tried the neutral db bench press yet. Thanks...I am trying to figure what upper exercises I can do to maintain....Where is the "statute of fitness limitations" posted?

Thanks for your help!
Kevin

[Jean-Paul]

Here is a quote from Bill that really does apply across the board as a general approach.

Dr. Mel Siff created what he called the "Statute of Fitness Limitations" which is useful in planning a comeback from injury (as well as starting a newbie or learning a new exercise or skill) and it goes like this:

Limited intensity or load
Limited duration (of a movement or set)
Limited volume (of an exercise or session)
Limited density (work to rest ratio)
Limited acceleration/deceleration
Limited power
Limited rate of force development
Limited velocity
Limited range of motion
Limited complexity (i.e., split squat to lunge to multiple angle lunge)

You must then proceed to increase each variable based on your perception of effort, symptoms, and quality of technique (good to have a second set of eyes to observe for any deviations from optimal)

Only when an individual perceives himself to be fully rehabilitated is he then fully rehabilitated.

[kinney1]

thanks jp!