shoulder tendinitis

[Photoflygirl]

I had the same problem, with possible rotator cuff irritation. My PT suggested the ice pack a few times a day if possible, Aleve and the exercises. My bicep tendon was snapping quite a bit at the ball, pretty uncomfortable to shift my car gears at times. It's been a few weeks and it feels a lot better. The posture was a BIG problem as well, so I've been working on that. Yours will feel better as well, but probably not as soon as you'd like!!

[aicabsolut]

I'm also dealing with rotator cuff problems, with some impingement of the biceps tendon.

Taping the supraspinatus muscle (and sometimes the deltoids) with Kinesio tape is the only way I have been able to ride (and race) without pain while I go through physical therapy and heal. Arnica ointments also help, as do the intense anti-inflammatories they put me on. It's been months. The doc may give me a cortisone shot at some point, but he wants to do that as a last resort sort of thing.

[tulip]

Everything is connected. Your shoulder issues and your hip pain are not separate. Bad posture will affect everything. Get a PT or chiropractor who understands and practices that the body is all connected. Start a good Pilates class and work hard at improving your posture. Even walking around with a book on your head a few minutes a day will help. Or, as someone told me, walk as if you were Queen Elizabeth.

Ouch, I hope you find relief soon. But it will take some work on your part.

[OakLeaf]

My rotator cuffs were FULL of trigger points earlier this year. All the muscles around the shoulders were involved, and I had slight nerve impingement. I made some slight progress working on them myself with a Thera-Cane, but I eventually had great success with an amazingly wonderful massage therapist. On our third or fourth 90 minute neuromuscular session, my shoulder just dropped back into place. There was a nearly audible sucking sound as the pec minor released and the bones went where they were supposed to be.

I'd highly recommend neuromuscular therapy if anyone isn't getting it already. In my LMT's opinion (and consistent with my own experience), no amount of stretching or strengthening will provide sustained and complete relief when there are trigger points in the muscles.

[cylegoddess]

I so hate this!!! Its taking FOREVER!

[Duck on Wheels]

When I had tendonitis in the rotary cuff (i.e. shoulder) this winter my GP did a quick-and-dirty diagnostic saying it didn't really matter which tendon was inflamed, just the general area. His "prescription" would be the same. He would send me to a PT who would do a more detailed diagnosis and set up a program of exercizes I'd have to do for about 3 months. That's not forever. It's a long time, and the exercizes are booooring, but it's not forever. Three months later, my posture was better, the pain was gone, my shoulder had normal mobility, and I did what I could of the ALC (about 230 miles of it, which I guess isn't too bad for a 60-year-old lady on her first ALC). On the ride, my shoulders were not the problem; it was my knees. Soooo ... my advice is that you grit your teeth and stick with it. Keep doing those stretches etc. It took you a long time to build up the inflamation; it won't take quite as long to get rid of it, but it will take some time.

Good luck, and get well quick!

[channlluv]

I had a similar problem with my left shoulder from poor posture, repetitive motion, and the two bike crashes on my left side. My shoulder was in a lot of pain when I won a school fundraiser raffle basket that included an assessment from a local chiropractor, so I went to see him. He treated my nearly-frozen shoulder with Active Release Therapy (ART). He would adjust my spine and neck, then move to my shoulder for the ART. It involves digging into the tendon to break up the star-patterned scar tissue to release it. Hurts like h-e-double hockey sticks, but a few visits later, plus strengthening exercises, and he had me back on my bike. Five months later I was all better. I can rotate my arm all the way up, down, and around now and it doesn't hurt at all.

He specializes in sports medicine and works with all levels of athletes, right on up to avid triathletes and professional football players and golfers (he's got pictures of Chargers and some PGA people on his walls, but I can't remember who they are).

He literally gave me the use of my shoulder back. If you're near San Diego, PM me and I'll give you his contact information. I think listing it here would constitute an ad and I don't want to violate TOS.

Roxy