Shoulder injury

comptonelizabeth

I'm a newbie to exercise and have started the nerd fitness beginners programme. I have suffered with neck and shoulder problems on and off for years and after doing the routine this morning, felt something "click" in my left shoulder and now feel pain in my neck and down my arm. I know I need to rest it! How long should I wait before resuming the exercises - could I just leave out the press ups (possibly the planking too)?

sgt1372

No one here is qualifed to advise you. If you've been suffering from neck and shoulder problems for YEARS, there probably is a chronic condition that requires some form of treatment.

You should consult w/an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sport medicine, who should order xrays and an MRI to assess your problem. Good luck.

comptonelizabeth

Thank you - I have been getting treatment and have seen a physical therapist but not had recent problems so thought it'd be OK to start an exercise programme. I wasn't actually asking for advice about that,which is why I didn't go into detail ,just whether or not I should wait for it to heal.
I think what I need to do is see someone - a personal trainer ? about form. Perhaps a better question would have been,what's the correct way to do these exercises! Anyway thank you.

GauchoMark

Neither a physical therapist nor a personal trainer are going to be able to help you without seeing a doctor first. Certainly no one on the internet is going to be able to offer much help. If you felt something "click" and now have pain shooting down your neck and arm, something is not normal. Go see a doctor who might refer you to a specialist.

What exercise were you doing when this happened?

comptonelizabeth

Thanks. I will see the doctor. Actually it was about an hour AFTER the workout - I was doing something (can't recall what )when I felt it happen.

esjones12

I'd highly recommend a Chiropractor evaluation. Your body is probably out of alignment. The click was probably something moving and now putting pressure on a nerve (hence the pain down your arm). Obviously I'm not a doctor....but I'd recommend going for a good Chiro eval. An ortho will just take you straight to surgery or more PT.

I would not work out until you get evaluated. Your shoulder and nerves can be very fragile and easy to mess up for years to come. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck!

Packerjohn

esjones12 wrote: »

I'd highly recommend a Chiropractor evaluation. Your body is probably out of alignment. The click was probably something moving and now putting pressure on a nerve (hence the pain down your arm). Obviously I'm not a doctor....but I'd recommend going for a good Chiro eval. An ortho will just take you straight to surgery or more PT.

I would not work out until you get evaluated. Your shoulder and nerves can be very fragile and easy to mess up for years to come. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck!

Bad generalization on otho and just sending someone to surgery. Also, a physical therapist will do what a good chiro will do. Some office treatment and exercises to do at home.

comptonelizabeth

Thanks all. I'll hold off exercise until it feels better and will see my gp. I'm not going to see a chiro though - thanks for the suggestion. I have osteoporosis and last time I saw one, he was a bit too brutal for my liking. Plus I get what you say about the click,but the pain feels muscular.

comptonelizabeth

Ps last time I saw an ortho I didn't get the impression he was pushing for surgery - far from it;he seemed anxious to avoid it. The NHS in the uk is under extreme pressure and even people who really need surgery are having to wait so I doubt it would be suggested for me,plus the chances are ill have to wait months to see one

canadianlbs

if you're seeing a pt, at some point it might be good to show them t he stuff that you're doing. a person who already knows your existing issues might be more alert than a generalist to catch anything that could be putting you at specific risk.

shoulder stuff sucks. good luck with it.

sgt1372

comptonelizabeth wrote: »

Thanks all. I'll hold off exercise until it feels better and will see my gp. I'm not going to see a chiro though - thanks for the suggestion. I have osteoporosis and last time I saw one, he was a bit too brutal for my liking. Plus I get what you say about the click,but the pain feels muscular.

Don't think it'll do much good to talk w/your GP unless s/he specializes in sports medicine but, if you're in an HMO, you probably have no choice. In this case, push for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon and/or sports medicine specialist.

However, it may be helpful for you to review the following info before you speak to your GP to try to focus on the cause of your shoulder problem.

1) I just happened to see the following video which "may" relate to the "clicking" sound you hear in your shoulder. Watch it and decide if there may be some relevance to your situation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsmeXwHu6W0

2) Just Googling "shoulder and arm pain," I also found a laundry list of causes that may be associated with this problem, that you should go thru w/your doctor, as well as some suggestions for how to relieve the pain on your own:

http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/Right-Shoulder-and-Arm-Pain.html

Good luck!

comptonelizabeth

Wow - thanks so much everyone for the helpful replies! sgt1372 many thanks for the video and link, I'll have a look. Once again, many thanks.