About Brian Expertise I can help set up a weightlifting program, give suggestions on specific exercises and how to deal with injuries. We can discuss your goals and effective ways to work towards them. I compete at powerlifting, and have been weightlifting for over 15 years.
Experience 15 years weightlifting experience, including competitive powerlifting.
Question Hi,
I'm 27 years old, male, and have been lifting for over 8 years. I recently went to the gym and lifted harder than usual without warming up becuase I was upset about something (women..go figure). Well, I strained myself doing dumb-bell bench and flies. The next day I noticed my right shoulder was sore. I lifted the next day and tried to do my regular routine, but found my right shoulder hurt when I lifted and I couldn't lift as much. I did this for another few workouts before realizing I should stop since the pain wasn't going away. From the time I stopped to now it has been almost two months. If I try and do some push-ups, it hurts. I've gone down to just doing leg exercises and stomach stuff. This really sucks. I'm seeing a doctor soon, but am not sure what is wrong. I hope it's not permanent. Any advice, or do you know if it's permanent based on what I've said. Probably not, but I figure I'd ask. Thanks in advance,
Cliff
Answer Your doctor will do a physical exam, ask you to perform different movements to evaluate a likely cause. S/he will probably have X-rays or an MRI taken (depending, of course on what the suspected injury is).
Not likely that you suffered a permanent injury. Potential injuries range from minor (tendonitis, bursitis) to more severe (rotator cuff). I had bursitis at one point and was able to work thru it using a lot of stretching, ice and some anti-inflammatory drugs. Rotator cuff injuries often involve surgery...but it is reparable and not "permanent."
No matter what, be prepared for a period of rehab lasting at least a few months. Rehab is not the same as not working out at all...but it's working out within some constraints with the goal of getting better.
One final thought for you. I've been lifting since I was around 20 (I'm 42 now). Up until about age 25, I never stretched, never warmed up. Its about this time I started getting little injuries---a pulled muscle, the bursitis, etc. My doctor who treated the bursitis really encouraged me to stretch and warm up first.
I always stretch now and do at least two warm up sets before heavy lifting.
You will find as you get older that warming up and especially stretching is no longer optional. Stretching doesn't have to be elaborate (I have three basic shoulder stretches I always do, plus a couple of leg stretches). It will really help you as you go on.
