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.