17 years old and suffering from a 16 month shoulder problem
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16 months ago I injured my left shoulder doing a bench press. I trained through the injury and it became worse. 3 months later and still undiagnosed, I injured my right shoulder whilst throwing snowballs and both shoulders developed the same level of pain. Since then, my body has been deconditioned significantly as I have rested instead of continuing to exercise as I'm sure I should've done.
A new physio I had last week suggested that the reason my shoulders are still in pain is not because of the initial injuries but because of muscle loss and deconditioning in and around the shoulder muscles. He has advised I go back to my weightlifting programme from 16 months ago at 25% of what I was doing, although I experience pain after even these light session in and around the shoulders.
Does anyone agree or disagree with his perspective on my problem? He says that once I build back muscle from gym work and shoulder exercises the pain should subside.
I should also mention that I have had MRI scans done and there is nothing structurally wrong with either shoulder. Other physios have said the pain is growing related but to be honest I feel like this new physios perspective is my last hope.
I would appreciate any answers as sport (especially rugby and weightlifting) is my passion and I want to get back to it more than anything else in the world.
0 likes, 3 replies
ricochetred max09266
Posted
Are you in the UK or US? It's good that your MRI show no structural damage. Make sure it stays like that. My advice would be to find a physiotherapist who is trained in myofascial release and manual therapy. How is your range of motion? If it's good and without a lot of scapular substitutions that's good. But if there is a lot of scapular movement but not free pure glenohumeral movement, then you need to get some manual therapy to loosen up the tight structures and then work on strengthening in a controlled environment where a trained therapist can watch how you are doing your strengthening. You want your scapular muscles to be strong and the glenohumeral joint to have balance movement. Shoulders are not, per se, my specialy...but as a physical therapist having just undergone my own shoulder repair...and a former competitive body builder/rockclimber, I know how important having the right expert on the job is. I have all but ditched my insurance covered therapy to pay out of pocket to see someone I know who knows shoulders. Also as a therapist trained extensively in myofascial release, I know that all the fascia is interconnected and needs to be treated as such. For starters...don't go back to a programt that hurt you. I would recommend training your back harder than chest. Common problem is having pectorals that are too tight. Stretching is a must. Balace is vital You are very young and have a lifetime of activity ahead of you...lots of time to retrain your shoulder so it lasts many decades. Best of luck to you.
max09266 ricochetred
Posted
Thanks for your reply. I am in the U.K. and all the physios I have seen say that my range of movement is great. That's why I am so confused by the pain, it seems like my shoulders are fine but still I have pain; the pain is not terrible but it stops me doing intense exercise which as I said before is my passion. I will ask the current physio about myofascial release. I should have mentioned that I went from being very fit and muscular to having little to no muscle. That's what this physio see's as being the main cause of my prolonged pain and tightness. Do you agree with this to an extent? I have also grown a lot over the last year, maybe as much as 2 inches, I am now about 6ft 3
ricochetred max09266
Posted
That's good information. If you are 17 have been into weightlifting and you just went through a growth spurt, you need to think about what is going on at your bone growth plates. Throwing snowballs is another clue. You can do a little research on "throwers arm" in adolescent baseball pitchers and also some research on fusion of male growth plates in relationship to joint injuries. Male growth plates typically are not finished fusing until 20-22 (ball park). Teenage boys, although they do, should not be into heavy weightlifting while their bone endplates are still open. when you go through a growth spurt things can get a bit unstable in the joint. I usually recomment that the best exercises for growing boys are those involving your own body weight...such as dips, pushups and pull ups and devolping core strength such as abdominals and back extensors. Maybe you can find a physio who is knowledgeable in working with young athletes. Protect your body while it's still developing. Pain is an indication that something needs to stop or be modified. Oftentimes some rest and stretching is what the body is asking for. I hope that helps.