Shoulder the load!! Avoiding and managing Swimmer’s Shoulder Some advice from Jeremy Nyman, Physiotherapist at Woodlands Physiotherapy. Read on to find out how to avoid this nuisance condition that could potentially scuttle your chance of reaching Rotto. To view some information on preventative exercises, select the pdf tab at the bottom of this page. Other than insanity, swimmer’s ear, stings, neck pain, chaffing and rashes, the most likely problem you will experience whilst preparing for or doing your Rotto swim is swimmer’s shoulder. The incidence of the problem is unclear, research figures varying from 3 – 80% of swimmers affected. About 30% of elite and high level swimmers experience shoulder problems that disrupt their swimming at some stage. What is Swimmer’s Shoulder? Bursitis, rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement syndrome are all loosely in the diagnosis of swimmer’s shoulder. Essentially the problem is an inflammation or degeneration of the tendons (rotator cuff) or protective lubricant sacks (bursa) around the shoulder joint. Pulling your body through water with your arms is hard work. The resultant repetitive “friction” and loading on these shoulder structures during freestyle swimming, particularly with a poor swimming technique, can cause the problem. The risk with butterfly is higher, breastroke and backstroke lower. Swimming is not the only cause of swimmer’s shoulder. An inappropriate gym program may initiate problems. A gym program should be aimed as much at reducing injury risk as making you swim faster. Good advice is needed. Is Swimmer’s Shoulder preventable? Yes. In most cases you can significantly reduce your risk of problems. The commonest cause of problems relates to your freestyle technique. Getting skilled advice and changing your action will significantly reduce risks. There are also some simple strength and flexibility exercises that help. Print the pdf file at the bottom of this page for instructions on these. However, you may need your shoulder assessed and specific exercises recommended by a physiotherapist with knowledge of swimming. What does it feel like? If you start getting shoulder pain during or after your swims, do something about it immediately. Once problems start, they tend to worsen unless you do something to stop the rot! Initially pain is during or after your training session, sometimes only with sprint activity. Pain tends to be in the shoulder or upper arm. If it is accompanied by pins and needles or tingling anywhere in the arm, your neck may also be involved. If things worsen, you will notice pain on movements behind the line of the body and overhead. Aching may increase and you may be disturbed at night, particularly if you lay on the painful side. Ultimately, worsening pain will force you to stop swimming. Avoiding the problem
The best thing to do is to prevent the onset of any symptons. Implementation of the following points will significantly reduce your risk of Swimmer's Shoulder:
What to do
You will need to identify the causes of your problem. This may require advice from a physiotherapist, doctor and swimming coach.
| Your problem | Your solution | Ask Who? |
|---|---|---|
| Over-training/coaching faults Poor stroke technique Unilateral breathing |
Modify your swimming style Modify your training – less distance, less often, less sprint |
Swim coach Knowledgeable friend Knowledgeable physio Not the internet |
| Inappropriate gym program | Alter program. Right exercise, right technique, right amount | Knowledgeable physio Knowledgeable gym instructor Knowledgeable swim coach |
| Poor core (trunk) stability Muscle imbalance Poor posture |
Specific personalized exercise program | Knowledgeable physio |
| Inadequate warm up Inadequate pre-stretch |
Increase warm up period Perform appropriate stretches |
Knowledgeable physio Knowledgeable swim coach Knowledgeable friend |
| Specific injury, any pain or uncertain what to do | Get help NOW | Knowledgeable physio Doctor |
If you become symptomatic and there is inadequate response to conservative management such as stroke correction and specific exercises, further investigation and treatment may be necessary. This may require the use of anti-inflammatory medication, x-ray, ultrasound scan, MRI and possible steroid injection. Be advised by your physio or doctor. Remember, get good advice. Google doesn’t know your problem!
For some basic exercise advice from Jeremy Nyman at Woodlands Physiotherapy, select the pdf tab at the bottom of the page.
Woodlands Physiotherapy can assist you with:
Sports injuries
Back and Neck pain
Headaches
Exercise programs
Massage
6 Liege Street Woodlands Ph 9445 1844
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| The Bare Essentials2.pdf | 182.67 KB |