Shoulder Injury- HELP!!!!!

cassandra1220

I have had problems with my shoulder (left side) for about 9 months, give or take. The pain is really bad when I lift my arm up over my head. This pain is coupled with a pinched nerve in my neck that somehow is worsened by the shoulder issue. It is not my rotator. I have full range of motion with the exception of a push-up or an overhead extention. The pain is located primarily in my deltoid and continues down my left side under the breast to my ribs. It is not "constant" through out the day but it does making sleeping a chore (it is the side I lay on...or used to).

Okay, so fast forward. I finally made myself an appointment with a chiropractor. Even though I don't have another appointment until February (due to financial constraints and no insurance), he told me that I was fine to do cardio and yoga. Thats it. I currently do a "body pump" class which is total body strength training 4-5 days a week. I leave the class right before they work on shoulders as not to aggrivate my situation. To put it mildly, it is an integral part of my life (not to mention I just started P90X this week) and Im not sure that I CAN give it up.

My question is this...do i follow the Dr.'s orders? (Incidentally, he hasn't even looked at an x-ray yet) or do i keep doing what I am doing for the next few weeks until my next appointment (my first treatment). Also, does anyone know of any upper body low inpact exercises that I can perform with minimal impact on my shoulder?

Sorry for the lengthy post.

SHBoss1673

sounds like a classic shoulder impingement, which is when a weak rotator cuff allows the upper arm bone to rub against the top of the shoulder blade.

do a web search for shoulder impingement syndrome and see if your symptoms match. The cure for it is usually to strengthen the rotator cuff.

it could also be a nerve that has shifted, but I doubt it, these symptoms sound way too much like impingement to me. Full range of movement doesn't really mean much as impingement has nothing to do with a rotator injury (although it could result from that), just a weakening of the rotator cuff tendons.

loulabear

I have a friend that had a similar issue...she is a climber and that is pretty much all she does. I hate to say it...but I would follow the Doc's orders. Have you thought about seeing a specialist?

kookla33

If you have pain in your shoulder with any exercise-I wouldn't do it. You could injure yourself worse.

cassandra1220

sounds like a classic shoulder impingement, which is when a weak rotator cuff allows the upper arm bone to rub against the top of the shoulder blade.

do a web search for shoulder impingement syndrome and see if your symptoms match. The cure for it is usually to strengthen the rotator cuff.

That's what I thought. I notice that the pain will subside for a few days if I am working out. I'm not saying that it is non-existant but it doesnt seem as tight. This is why I was questioning him when he told me to stop with ALL weights or weight bearing exercises (he also told me I would be sorry if I didn't...all without seeing an x-ray).

SHBoss1673

If you have pain in your shoulder with any exercise-I wouldn't do it. You could injure yourself worse.

actually, if it IS impingement, the cure is strengthening the rotator cuff gradually by performing specific exercises that force the cuff to work (not hard enough for severe pain, but you might feel some moderate discomfort at the beginning). Course surgery is the last resort, but rotator cuff surgery is horrible.

cassandra1220

If you have pain in your shoulder with any exercise-I wouldn't do it. You could injure yourself worse.

Awwww...kookla (sweetheart). That's what my other half calls me :smooched:

cassandra1220

I have a friend that had a similar issue...she is a climber and that is pretty much all she does. I hate to say it...but I would follow the Doc's orders. Have you thought about seeing a specialist?

He said that we are going to try to eliminate all of the other possible causes first and then if need be, he will send me to a specialist. My issue is that 4 wks is a long time to 1. Not strength train, and 2. Not have an actual diagnosis. I would hate to let my shoulder weaken only to find out that the solution would be to strengthen the muscles around it.

SHBoss1673

I would see if your GP doctor can give you a referal to a licensed sports therapist as they have LOTS of experience with mild shoulder impingement.

They should be able to give you a set of exercises that can help you strengthen it. Of course the first course is anti-inflammatory (like advil) and ice (and at least 3 or 4 days of rest) before you do anything.

cassandra1220

I would see if your GP doctor can give you a referal to a licensed sports therapist as they have LOTS of experience with mild shoulder impingement.

They should be able to give you a set of exercises that can help you strengthen it. Of course the first course is anti-inflammatory (like advil) and ice (and at least 3 or 4 days of rest) before you do anything.

Thanks so much for your imput. You are Yoda on this site!

loulabear

I had a sports doctor tell me that if I had the rotator cuff surgery...I would be back in five years for it again...I definitely agree that specific exercises are the way to go, but I would wait for a proper diagnosis. If you start an exercise without a diagnosis you could cause more problems. Injuries will often take months to heal....

SHBoss1673

I would see if your GP doctor can give you a referal to a licensed sports therapist as they have LOTS of experience with mild shoulder impingement.

They should be able to give you a set of exercises that can help you strengthen it. Of course the first course is anti-inflammatory (like advil) and ice (and at least 3 or 4 days of rest) before you do anything.

Thanks so much for your imput. You are Yoda on this site!

LOL, Yoda? I'm not sure how to take that. But you're welcome. One thing I know is shoulder injuries, I've been a Pitcher for about 29 years (since I was 7, still going strong, f-ed up shoulders and all)

cassandra1220

I would see if your GP doctor can give you a referal to a licensed sports therapist as they have LOTS of experience with mild shoulder impingement.

They should be able to give you a set of exercises that can help you strengthen it. Of course the first course is anti-inflammatory (like advil) and ice (and at least 3 or 4 days of rest) before you do anything.

Thanks so much for your imput. You are Yoda on this site!

LOL, Yoda? I'm not sure how to take that. But you're welcome. One thing I know is shoulder injuries, I've been a Pitcher for about 29 years (since I was 7, still going strong, f-ed up shoulders and all)

Im not sying your short with bad skin. lol. I'm saying you are the master!

SHBoss1673

I would see if your GP doctor can give you a referal to a licensed sports therapist as they have LOTS of experience with mild shoulder impingement.

They should be able to give you a set of exercises that can help you strengthen it. Of course the first course is anti-inflammatory (like advil) and ice (and at least 3 or 4 days of rest) before you do anything.

Thanks so much for your imput. You are Yoda on this site!

LOL, Yoda? I'm not sure how to take that. But you're welcome. One thing I know is shoulder injuries, I've been a Pitcher for about 29 years (since I was 7, still going strong, f-ed up shoulders and all)

Im not sying your short with bad skin. lol. I'm saying you are the master!

HA! naw, I know. 3 years ago my self esteem was bad enough that I probably WOULD have thought you meant that, but I know what you meant, and thanks! I'm no master though, just someone who has picked up some tidbits here and there.

cassandra1220

I would see if your GP doctor can give you a referal to a licensed sports therapist as they have LOTS of experience with mild shoulder impingement.

They should be able to give you a set of exercises that can help you strengthen it. Of course the first course is anti-inflammatory (like advil) and ice (and at least 3 or 4 days of rest) before you do anything.

Thanks so much for your imput. You are Yoda on this site!

LOL, Yoda? I'm not sure how to take that. But you're welcome. One thing I know is shoulder injuries, I've been a Pitcher for about 29 years (since I was 7, still going strong, f-ed up shoulders and all)

Im not sying your short with bad skin. lol. I'm saying you are the master!

HA! naw, I know. 3 years ago my self esteem was bad enough that I probably WOULD have thought you meant that, but I know what you meant, and thanks! I'm no master though, just someone who has picked up some tidbits here and there.

Well, we all appreciate your imput. :happy: