Shoulder Blades

[Scarlet]

Ouch
have done a shortish ride today 35 miles but loads of hills (never thought a down would arrive) my shoulder blades are dead achy .......whats this about???
i think i may ride with my shoulders up towards my ears how can i avoid or correct this i try a lot during a ride but they keep going back to the ear position........... i am a freak!!!
cheers
scarlet

[maillotpois]

Relax!

Consciously work on bringing your shoulders into a level, neutral, relaxed position.

Also - be sure your elbows always have a bit of a bend in them. Your elbows are your upper body's shock absorbers. If you hit bumps with them straight, all that stress is directed right into your shoulders and neck.

If working on your body position and relaxing your posture like this doesn't help, you may need to get a professional bike fit to make sure that you're set up properly on your bike.

[Scarlet]

thanks
x

[slinky1]

When I began to ride I had the same issue. I had a professional bike fit, and still experienced shoulder pain. I do yoga, and remembered that we were always told to keep our shoulders below our ears. I agree with the statement "Consciously work on bringing your shoulders into a level, neutral, relaxed position." I don't really know if this is why the aching stopped, or if it was just a matter of getting into shape, but I no longer have the same problem. Wish I could share more, just wanted to let you know there is a possibility it will go away with time.

[wiseowl]

I have shoulder pain, too. I am actually in phys. therapy for it at the moment- I really need to strengthen and stretch the upper back/neck/shoulders, esp. the trapezius (sp?). They frown at me when I mention the bike and ask if I can get more upright- I already have "comfort" road geometry, so no...and I will do a lot of dull exercises and modify other habits before I give up the bike! Take a look at your work, home, hobby, and child environments- I basically have bad posture and position habits all day long that accumulate into pain on the bike. If I correct those, I will have less pain on the bike. It isn't a bike thing, it is a lifestyle thing. Maybe you have something similar happening?