Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 2/27/2009

Question
For a long time now I have a shoulder pain, Its on my left shoulder, and it feels like its beneath the middle deltoid muscle. I weight traing regularly, and before my shoulder workout I make sure I stretch correctly and my shoulder workout routine consist of the following execises (from first to last performed):
1) Dumbbell Presses
2) Lying Dumbbell presses (palms faceing each other, and elbows bent next to body)

3)Pec Dec Rear Delt Laterals, and finally Low Pulley Lateral Rises

the problem is that any excerise with weight i attempt where I have to raise the lateral to the sides of my body i get this sharp main. (it feels like some sort of inflamation because with low reps exercises the pain does not comes as quickly as with high reps)

so the question is, what can I do to reduce the pain and what exercise can I attempt instead of the lateral raises ?

thanks a lot, Jonathan Davis

Answer
An anti inflammatory medicine can help with the inflammation, as well as icing the area.  You can try to do the lateral raises with your thumbs pointed upwards; this will rotate the Humerus in the shoulder joint, and put it in a more neutral position which should be less irritating.