Ouch! Pain in my left front shoulder...

luhluhlaura

Hey, I need you guys' wisdom!

I hope I'm posting this in the correct forum.

Lately, I've been getting a strange pain. It's like a dull ache in my left front shoulder...like, close to the fold of my armpit, but above it a bit. The pain will radiate throughout my shoulder and down my upper arm.

It's not an intense pain, but it's definitely become bad enough to be annoying at times. It seems to be slightly worse AFTER working out, but little to no discomfort DURING a workout.

At first I was thinking it must be sore from the weight that it bears from carrying my schoolbag, but I probably carry that thing around for less than 15 minutes a day! The only other thing I can think of is the possibility of improper form when exercising, or simply sleeping in the wrong position...

And even stranger, it's ONLY in my left shoulder, even though I work each arm equally as hard (and most arm exercises I do work both arms at once).

So my question is, has anyone had a similar problem? What ended up causing it?
I would really like to shed some light on this issue--I don't want to set myself up for injury!


For the record, I'm young (20), of a healthy weight and BMI, and in good health.

cmriverside

Please see a doctor. Left arm/shoulder pain could be heart issues.

LeslieMDoyle

Are you lifting at all? Free weights? Machines?

Newfiedan

Sounds like stabilizer muscles around the joint there, I have shoulder pain in the front upper part of my right shoulder and a few weeks ago it was brutally painful, my advice is to go see a chiropractor to get an assessment on it if you can afford it, if not then try ice/heat alternating them for 10-15 mins see if that helps any. There are a lot of exercises to help strengthen those muscles but without being properly assessed it would not be advisable to just throw advice around.

aproc

I had problems with pains in my shoulder and had to lay off the weights for a couple weeks. The pain died down but it still pops back up during workouts so I just take it easy on shoulder days.. Could have been from poor form if you do weights, overtraining, or like you said the school bag.

Earthmom2018

Best to get it checked out by a Dr. Sometimes pain can be the refracted from another area of the body. Heart issues in women can come in all kinds of sneaky ways. So check it out with the Dr. and If ok try rubbing caster oil on it and cover with plastic. Got that from Dr. Oz. Good Luck!

minnesota_deere

Hey, I need you guys' wisdom!

I hope I'm posting this in the correct forum.

Lately, I've been getting a strange pain. It's like a dull ache in my left front shoulder...like, close to the fold of my armpit, but above it a bit. The pain will radiate throughout my shoulder and down my upper arm.

It's not an intense pain, but it's definitely become bad enough to be annoying at times. It seems to be slightly worse AFTER working out, but little to no discomfort DURING a workout.

At first I was thinking it must be sore from the weight that it bears from carrying my schoolbag, but I probably carry that thing around for less than 15 minutes a day! The only other thing I can think of is the possibility of improper form when exercising, or simply sleeping in the wrong position...

And even stranger, it's ONLY in my left shoulder, even though I work each arm equally as hard (and most arm exercises I do work both arms at once).

So my question is, has anyone had a similar problem? What ended up causing it?
I would really like to shed some light on this issue--I don't want to set myself up for injury!


For the record, I'm young (20), of a healthy weight and BMI, and in good health.

I get that from carrying my 10 month old (20lbs), i know its from her, becuase i switched to the other arm and the pain went away in about 4 days, but than the other arm hurt, its weird it pulls out on my shoulder. it hurts even more right after my run, but not during until i reach about mile 5. switch sides with your bag once and see, i bet it is your bag. i do a yoga pose called eagle pose. seems to stretch it out really good.

Serah87

rotary cuff tear??...I had the same pain, but in my right shoulder, ended up having surgery!!...that was 1 year ago.

salxtai

Could be bursitis, from the location of the pain.
Could also be rotator cuff muscle imbalance that's causing impingement. Or impingement from poor technique.


Either way, go get it checked out by a physiotherapist. Shoulders are something that do better with if caught early.

luhluhlaura

cmriverside-- yes, I've heard that. I haven't considered that as an option though because it tends to be associated with heart attack, and...well, the likelihood of me having a heart attack at 20 is slim.

leslie-- I mainly using light free weights and bodyweight exercises--I have a weak upper body and am trying to build strength so that's why I wonder if improper form could be the issue---but like I said, I work the other shoulder just the same, and no issues there!

Helloitsdan

Sounds like stabilizer muscles around the joint there, I have shoulder pain in the front upper part of my right shoulder and a few weeks ago it was brutally painful, my advice is to go see a chiropractor to get an assessment on it if you can afford it, if not then try ice/heat alternating them for 10-15 mins see if that helps any. There are a lot of exercises to help strengthen those muscles but without being properly assessed it would not be advisable to just throw advice around.

This!
After you get this fixed please google "packing the shoulders" for working out.
It till save you a lot of pain and heartache!

darkmouzy

You may have trigger points my dear! see a RMT

luhluhlaura

You may have trigger points my dear! see a RMT

What's an RMT?

saragato

Please consult a doctor or orthopedic specialist. They're going to have a lot more actual insight to what is causing the pain, what the pain is, and what to do about it. All any of us can do is guess and give you treatments based on the guess which could not only be inaccurate, but make the pain worse.

I'm not trying to sound like a jerk, but don't ever consult the internet about medical issues. If it really hurts, at least talk to your doctor over the phone and see if it's necessary you go see them or someone else or if they can give you your answer right then.

alecta337

See if you can go to a physical therapist, i have right shoulder pain and I see one. It started in the front of my shoulder and now its migrated to the muscles along the edge of my shoulder blade. My physical therapist is helping me stabilize my shoulder joint with shoulder strengthening exercises.

Love2HikeMT

Sounds like a rotator cuff strain and/or injury to me. This can happen to anyone at any age. My suggestion is to apply ice...ICE...yes, ICE...and rest it for a week or two. Then, begin exercises ~ slowly. If you have persistent problems, please see an orthopedic surgeon for evaluation.

JersryGirl31

The radiating pain down your arm suggests a nerve. I had bone spurs in my shoulder that eventually needed surgery. The therapist told me it can be caused by lifting weights above your shoulder. House painters tend to get it from lifting paint cans. If you are lifting, make sure you are doing it correctly.

An orthopedist can evaluate any damage and suggest or prescribe therapy that will strengthen your muscles.

luhluhlaura

Thanks for the insight, everyone!
I'm concerned that it may be a nerve, as janlapinski said.
I try my best to have proper form but I don't have a mirror in my room so when I do arm exercises in my JM videos, there's a possibility I'm lifting the weights too high or the wrong way...

I'll make an appointment to see my doctor.
However, to get referred to a specialist takes weeks to months to go through on my insurance...

So until then, I guess I should lay off my arm exercises :sad:

hkulbacki

And even stranger, it's ONLY in my left shoulder, even though I work each arm equally as hard (and most arm exercises I do work both arms at once).

So my question is, has anyone had a similar problem? What ended up causing it?
I would really like to shed some light on this issue--I don't want to set myself up for injury!

You may think you work both arms equally, but if there is any mis-alignment or more natural strength in one than the other, they will be doing slightly different amounts of work.

I was getting severe pain in my lower right back any time I was on my bike for more 18-25 miles. You'd think I'd be pedaling a bike evenly with both legs...? A very thorough bike fitting and a few chiropractic adjustments and I had a pain-free 50 mile ride this weekend.

JersryGirl31

Anti inflammatory medicines can help.( Advil, Aspirin, etc.) They decrease the pain and the inflammation that can be pressing on a nerve. Your regular doctor can also help. Mine gave me easy exercises to do at home until I saw a specialist who sent me to a therapist. If you catch it soon enough, therapy might be enough. Insurance tends to only approve surgery after therapy hasn't worked.

JNick77

There is a pectoral tendon that joins into the upper arm, last year I tore mine. Yours might be strained or something, layoff chest and bicep exercises until it heals.