Shoulder Pain Advice

[Mattyc93]

Hey,

I'm 17 years old, and around this time last year I started hearing a clunking sound whilst in the gym doing chest exercises, this gradually turned into a sharp pain in the front of my shoulder, and eventually it started hurting outside of the gym - I haven't been to the gym since, which is a real bummer because it accompanied my studies perfectly.

As a student I naturally carry heavy bags around aswell, I'm not sure if this prolonged the problem.

Since the problem evolved, I've seen an NHS physio, a sports therapist, and a private physio - I still have the issue even after doing the exercises as the guys recommended.

I find that if I press at the top of my lats, I get the sharp pain in the front of the shoulder, the private guy ignored this when I told him - not sure if it links my lats into the problem?
My lats also sometimes feel sore around the shoulder blade. In my chest I get some tightness aswell, particularly after sleeping on that side.

I'm running out of options now and I'm just looking for some advice on what I can do!

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[Vanc_WA_PT]

hello - the initial injury a year ago sounds like a bicep tendon injury; can come about doing deep chest presses; look up picture of shoulder anatomy and see if you have tenderness in the bicipital groove and/or the coricoid process where each of the bicep tendons attach; it's been a problem for so long that it may all be tender to touch including the top of the shoulder you mention; the pec minor also attaches to the coricoid process and may be the source of your chest tightness; i generally tell my clients to get full painfree range of motion of the shoulder first, target the injured tendons for some cross friction massage, stretch, work on posture - pull shoulders and head back a little, then strengthen; hope that helps

[Mattyc93]

hello - the initial injury a year ago sounds like a bicep tendon injury; can come about doing deep chest presses; look up picture of shoulder anatomy and see if you have tenderness in the bicipital groove and/or the coricoid process where each of the bicep tendons attach; it's been a problem for so long that it may all be tender to touch including the top of the shoulder you mention; the pec minor also attaches to the coricoid process and may be the source of your chest tightness; i generally tell my clients to get full painfree range of motion of the shoulder first, target the injured tendons for some cross friction massage, stretch, work on posture - pull shoulders and head back a little, then strengthen; hope that helps

Hey thanks for that, if that is the case I'm still not sure what to do. I may go back to my doctor and see if I can see the physio again.

[Vanc_WA_PT]

I think a clear diagnosis from a doctor would be in order before heading back to the PT merry-go-round. Can you get a referral to an orthopedist?

[Mattyc93]

I think a clear diagnosis from a doctor would be in order before heading back to the PT merry-go-round. Can you get a referral to an orthopedist?

Hello, I was surfing the web and quoting this link: Self-Treatment for Shoulder Pain, Ache, Stiffness, Frozen Shoulder, Adhesive Capsulitis, Rotator Cuff Injury

"These trigger points are the most common cause of pain in the front of the shoulder, commonly misdiagnosed as bicipital tendinitis"

Those points are points which bring on the pain in the front of my shoulder, any advice?

Also, I will consider getting to the doctors again, perhaps I'll try this trigger point work for a little bit and see where I am after that.

[junior_physiotherapist]

Hi,

Let us at first hope to u fast full recovery,..........

Even if u got links for dealing with shoulder pain,,,,,,I think u should visit good physician to make proper diagnosis then that aid in good prognosis!!

In general:

- At which side u feel pain Rt or left?
- Does it radiates along the arm "medial aspect"?
- if u press on above ur chest Does this hurting u?
-Do u have teeth problem in same side of arm problem?
-Do u get tired during stairs ascending?

........Hope this could help

[Mattyc93]

Hi,

Let us at first hope to u fast full recovery,..........

Even if u got links for dealing with shoulder pain,,,,,,I think u should visit good physician to make proper diagnosis then that aid in good prognosis!!

In general:

- At which side u feel pain Rt or left?
- Does it radiates along the arm "medial aspect"?
- if u press on above ur chest Does this hurting u?
-Do u have teeth problem in same side of arm problem?
-Do u get tired during stairs ascending?

........Hope this could help

It's hard finding a good physician, I've seen two and neither seemed to help!

In answer to your questions:
It's on my right side.
I'm not sure what the medial aspect is, sorry.
I do get pain in my chest.
No teeth problems.
Nope I stay quite active by playing football.

[Vanc_WA_PT]

Yes; go after those trigger points!! another great resource is saveyourself.ca

[Mattyc93]

Hey, I know I have those trigger points, but both physiotherapists diagnosed me with having a rotator cuff injury. Not sure what to think!

[Vanc_WA_PT]

no reason you can't have a little of both; start treating trigger points on your own - simply pushing on points and holding for 3seconds with firm but not extreme pressure; stretching as with yoga or Qigong may also help; see what happens.