Shoulder woes.

[Owlie]

I somehow injured my shoulder at work yesterday while getting a bike off the rack (they're tiered racks). It was one of those things where you realize that if you complete the movement you were planning to, it is going to end badly, but you're pretty much committed to doing it anyway.

It hurt last night, but was okay this morning except when I drove to work. And then I had to move bikes. Luckily no one asked me for mountain bikes or cruisers! Driving home didn't help matters.

I've got a tray of ice cubes in the freezer so I can ice it, and plan on taking an NSAID so I can sleep. Luckily I have tomorrow off, so it will get some rest. I'm just concerned about hurting it more at work.

[Wahine]

While I have absolutely no ability to diagnose from afar, I can say that almost all shoulder injuries are worse with overhead activity and it sounds like yours would be too. Realize that you've likely caused some inflammation and resting, icing and using an anti-inflammatory will help but even with these measures, it will take 4 to 7 days for the inflammation to settle. If you continue to do activities with your arm above let's say shoulder height during that time, you're not really resting it and are likely to cause more inflammation.

The jist of it is, try not to do any repetitive reaching or lifting above eye level for the next week. If all's well after that, get back tonormal activity ASAP, shoulders are notorious for getting very stiff if you don't move them enough. It's a bit of a juggle, avoid inflamming it, but try to keep it moving.

[Owlie]

Thanks. It's most comfortable if I keep my arm bent with my forearm behind my back right now, but it likes to stiffen up a bit if I keep it there too long.

I'll be asking for help with the mountain bikes (especially those 29ers!) at work on Tuesday. The road bikes should be okay, provided I remember to use my left arm for most of the work. Luckily we sold most of our low-end ones yesterday!

To be cautious, I think I'm staying off the bike for a bit.

[Catrin]

Is your shoulder feeling better?

[Owlie]

It's feeling a little better, though it still hurt at work today--my boss handed me a rather heavy box of Gu gels, and I had to move a bunch of Schwinn cruisers around by myself because everyone else was busy. Icing it again tonight.

[Catrin]

It's feeling a little better, though it still hurt at work today--my boss handed me a rather heavy box of Gu gels, and I had to move a bunch of Schwinn cruisers around by myself because everyone else was busy. Icing it again tonight.

Hope it feels better soon! I didn't know you work at a bike store, cool!

[Owlie]

Shoulder is much better. Still a little tender, though.