Serratus anterior questions...

[lolwut09]

Hi, ive been experiencing some abnormal movements in one shoulder and i figure its best to try and strengthen my rotator cuff and my serratus anterior to see if that clears up the problem.

However ive noticed that one side seems to be very weak or hard to contract more so than the other and during any benchpressing movements my scapula doesn't fully sit back in its place on the eccentric phase of the movement ie lowing the weights, its as if i have to consciously contract the serratus anterior to make the scapula slide back to its normal place whereas i dont have to do this with the other side.
Would this suggest a weak serratus anterior and is it possible to have a weak serratus anterior without any nerve damage from lack of proper use.
I can contract it fine directly but through resistant movements its harder to activate properly.

Secondly ive also noticed that when trying to activate the serratus anterior directly by raising my arm up and pushing out against resistance it almost feels that it restricts blood from flowing into my arm as i get a kind of pins and needles feeling starting to develop the longer i hold my arm in that position. I also get quite a violent clunking sensation as well when performing the movement.

Any ideas what this could be?
Weak external rotators, tight internals, mechanical, flexibility issues ect?..

Also while im here with the push up plus exercise do what do u do with my elbows, should they be externally rotated or internally rotated through the movement?

Thanks you for any help, greatly appreciate it

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[pudding_bowl]

It sounds like when you protract your shoulder your getting neurological problems, could be you have increased neural tension. Go visit a physio and get them to asses your upper limb tension tests. The neural component cause cause your muscles to not contract correctly. Could be that they are weak.
a violent clunking sensation - depends where its coming from, if I'd GH joint then best to strengthen the rotator cuff - but it depends on the area of instability as to which area to work the most. If it's AC or SC then again strengthening could help but it's not perhaps as effective.

I'd suggest getting a physical exam cause there are a few things going on there. And relatively hard to give u a diagnosis online without physical exam.

Pudding