Ouch! Heat or Ice?

[Penny4]

On tonight's ride, I was all tensed up. It was the first group ride of the season and I was nervous about not having been on the bike for a while, riding with new folks, etc. I kept feeling my right shoulder aching, because i was not relaxed and had my shoulders all scrunched up. I knew I was doing it, but couldn't stop!

Anyway, right now my shoulder is killing me. I always forget, is heat or ice better for aches?

[indysteel]

I would start with ice.

[NurseDev]

Mary is correct start with Ice to bring down any swelling then apply heat for relaxing the muscles and improving ROM. (Range of motion)


--Dev

[WindingRoad]

Goodness Penny you sound like me. Remember to stretch out your shoulders whenever you get a second at a stop or something. It really helps.

[Penny4]

Goodness Penny you sound like me. Remember to stretch out your shoulders whenever you get a second at a stop or something. It really helps.

:) For some reason, it is always my right shoulder that hurts, but usually only towards the end of longer rides, and it has never hurt after a ride before. I do try to stretch during the ride, but i think i was just tensed up the whole ride.

I did end up icing it and taking some advil which took care of it.

I wonder why it is only my right shoulder that hurts? I must hold myself in a strange position on the bike.

[Elphaba]

Ice and anti-inflammatory the first 24 hours and then whatever feels good. IF you do go with heat, use moist heat. Might also want to try a sports creme and then put on a compression shirt.