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Shoulder clicking and rotator cuff concern

uconnwinsnc1
uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
edited March 6 in Fitness and Exercise
Sometimes if I raise my arms up straight up over my head my left shoulder will *pop* *clunk* with no pain although I can definitely feel it happening. It actually will happen much more if I am laying down on my right side and do it. I am attributing it to every day wear and tear and more specifically muscle tightness and shoulder stiffness? Will clicking lead to an injury or is it just something that happens. I am in my early 20's

Replies

  • glasshalffull713
    glasshalffull713 Posts: 323 Member
    You are probably fine, but it may be worth it for the peace of mind to get it checked out, especially if it's new. My feet click every step I take when I walk, and have as long as I remember. You can really hear it audibly if I walk barefoot. (I am fine.) It is probably just crepitus which can be normal, but it may be a sign of something developing. Nobody here can diagnose it for you, so go see your doctor.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Generally, noise in the joints NOT accompanied by pain is considered no big deal. Both of my knees and ankles click, my right shoulder, my wrist, hell, even my back. It doesn't hold me back at all.
  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    Are there rotator cuff specific workouts I can do? I know it is an injury common in baseball does anyone know ways to keep that area healthy? I suspect I might be coming down too far for my bench press and military press which could be putting extra stress on tendons?

    I guess I'll take a few days off completely and see how it is then see the doc if it bothers me.
  • glasshalffull713
    glasshalffull713 Posts: 323 Member
    It could be any of the things you suggested. I am sure there are rotator cuff exercises and stretches. try youtube. Sometimes my hip pops when I am doing leg raises or bicycle crunches on my back. My chiro said that it could be that when certain muscles are overtightened etc that the joints are not moving smoothly or a tendon or something could be hindering the movement. He said that is why it is probably an intermittent problem. It could be lots of things, including a muscle imbalance. Look up stretches and self massage for shoulders as well.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I have horrible shoulder mobility and they click a lot but I was told that if there is no pain associated with the clicking that it is fine
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I'd work on the shoulder mobility.

    It would freak me out, I would meet with my GP and have it imaged. Then I would have an idea of what it is. YMMV and all, but I would have it checked out, then I'd be told it's no biggy, and the world busts out in song and cute woodland animals.
  • mistressofmuscle
    mistressofmuscle Posts: 1
    In general, popping and clicking in the joint without pain is not a cause for concern. However, I will usually have my clients get the shoulder checked out just in case and to prevent any further damage if an injury does exist. It can be anything from a slight overuse injury, mild degeneration (unusual in someone so young) to nothing at all.
    There are several exercises that can be done to strengthen and mobilized the rotator cuff and shoulder joint. Internal and external rotation exercises are great for the rotator cuff. Deltoid raises (front, middle and rear) can also help stabilize the shoulder joint.
    Youtube is a great place to go to search for exercises as is bodybuilding.com.
    It would be best to avoid overhead exercises, such as shoulder presses, until you have the shoulder checked out.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    uconnwinsnc1 wrote: »
    Are there rotator cuff specific workouts I can do? I know it is an injury common in baseball does anyone know ways to keep that area healthy? I suspect I might be coming down too far for my bench press and military press which could be putting extra stress on tendons?

    I guess I'll take a few days off completely and see how it is then see the doc if it bothers me.

    Go on Youtube and look up rehab/prehab shoulder exercises. Lots of ways to work all the stabilizers and such to keep your shoulders healthy.

    Learning proper form on the bench and military press is definitely crucial for long-term joint health.
  • uconnwinsnc1
    uconnwinsnc1 Posts: 902 Member
    Just an update. My shoulder is 100% now. I took a few days off and that was all I needed.
This discussion has been closed.

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