Weight training can be a good way to strengthen and improve the health of your muscles and joints. But if you experience discomfort in your shoulders when you lift weights, you may be doing the wrong type of exercises. Here's what you should know about your shoulder pain and weight training.
Can the Wrong Weight Training Exercises Hurt Your Shoulders?
Each shoulder consists of three bones that allow movement in your arms. Muscle tissue and tendons cover the joint, and ligaments hold the joint together like glue. All of these tissues can experience a problem if you place too much tension or stress on them, including performing the wrong type of weight-training exercises.
When performed correctly, weight training can help build stronger shoulder muscles and joints. However, exercises like the upright barbell row can place tension or stress on the tendons and bursae in your shoulders. You might experience wear and tear in these tissues.
Some techniques also place undue stress on your rotator cuff muscles, which connect your shoulder blade to your upper arm. Your rotator cuff muscles can become damaged if you repeatedly lift your arms over your head. For instance, exercises like overhead presses may also cause instability in your rotator cuff muscles over time. Without the appropriate treatment, your muscles can become permanently weak or stiff.
It's important that you seek treatment for your shoulder pain to avoid the complications above.
What Can You Do to Treat Your Pain?
The first thing you can do is see an orthopedist for an exam. An orthopedist will generally look for signs of swelling and tenderness in your shoulders before using another diagnostic technique. If you don't have visible signs of injury, an orthopedist may take X-rays of your shoulders and arms to learn the extent of your pain. X-rays can also reveal the location of the injury, which may make it easier to treat you.
Treatment for shoulder pain can vary, depending on its intensity. For instance, if you have a minor rotator cuff injury, physical therapy may be an option for you. However, rotator cuff muscles that have severe tears generally require surgery to repair.
To keep your shoulders safe after treatment, work with a professional trainer instead of training alone. A trainer can help you select exercises that don't place strain and stress on your shoulders. If your pain returns, even after making changes in your training routine, consult with an orthopedist at a location like Associates In Orthopedics & Sports Medicine PC right away.
Share26 January 2017
Recently, my husband began experiencing shoulder pain. Suffering pain of any kind was unusual for him. Although, my husband is in his mid-forties, he enjoys amazingly good health. He’s rarely sick. He hardly ever complains about feeling badly. Because his shoulder pain lingered for a few weeks, he visited an orthopedic specialist. This individual informed my husband that he had bone spurs in his shoulder. He gave my husband a cortisone shot. My spouse’s physician also recommended that he begin rehabilitating his shoulder through exercise. On this blog, you will discover the best types of exercises for strengthening a painful and weak shoulder.