Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I have had shoulder pain come and go for years, sometimes in the left and sometimes in the right. Since I started paddling this year it seems to be more consistent. After listening to the guest speaker, Mark Wagner it think, at the ACC meeting a few weeks ago I stared doing the shoulder exercises he showed us. At first it seemed to help, but now it seems to be getting worse. Does anybody know in such cases do you continue, back off or what?
Thanks

Like a lot of others on this message board I have been there and done all of the above.

The best advice I can give is to find (ask on the message board) a good sports oriented muscle / skeletal Doctor to check your injury and make recommendations.

My experience is this type of injury does not heal on itself and can easily be made worse.

okieboater wrote:
...The best advice I can give is to find (ask on the message board) a good sports oriented muscle / skeletal Doctor to check your injury and make recommendations.

My experience is this type of injury does not heal on itself and can easily be made worse.

Thanks, I just hate to go to the doctor!

Edgar wrote:Thanks, I just hate to go to the doctor!

Me too. I've been dealing with impingement and associated incidental pain in my right shoulder for a couple of years now. I went to my doctor, who sent me to PT. PT helped some I guess, or maybe not. It's been such a long and arduous process I'm not really sure at this point. I finally ended up at Dr. Gilliam's office (Ortho Arkansas) and he sent me to Baptist for an arthrogram and MRI. Boy was that fun. I'm due back at OA on Tuesday to hear them tell me I'll just have to live with it. Good thing I'm not bitter.

Hey Deuce,

I have had to deal with a lot of shoulder / neck issues over the years.

Like you I have spent time with a sports oriented PT (recommended by my muscleo/skeletal Doc) and PT helps for sure. When insurance runs out, it is expensive.

My long time PT recommended that I investigate yoga.

My first thought was no way was I gonna go for that crazy stuff with some bone thin guru bending into impossible body positions. Well, I ended up at the local YMCA. Been going for a couple years and do not feel right if I miss a session. Turns out my yoga instructor is a local retired lady teacher who knows her yoga technique and teaching methods for us seniors, as well as anybody. There is several schools of thought on yoga. I am in the "gentle" school. Which means we do most of the classic postures but get to use a folding chair for balance and a hoopie strap to help get those legs extended.

Bottom line is, I am a big fan of "gentle" yoga and feel it has done a lot to keep me boating. Talk to your P/T and see if "gentle" yoga might be a good thing for you to investigate.

I have had upper back, spinal stuff going on and pain down my left arm. And have had ongoing for3-4 years hip pain. I just went this week to Pain management doctor who suspects coming from my spine that has bulging dics and spurs. He gave me a nerve medication I took last night and I am much better plus the injection in my back he gave. Even my hips don't hurt very much today. Might check out pain doc. I am seeing Dr. Quereshi in Little Rock, he seems to be really good. Not sure where your at but if in Little Rock, get a doc to refer you to him.

Karla

Deuce wrote:...I've been dealing with impingement and associated incidental pain in my right shoulder for a couple of years now...

Don't take impingement lightly. It can eventually chew through tendons. I know from personal experience.

Owl wrote:

Deuce wrote:...I've been dealing with impingement and associated incidental pain in my right shoulder for a couple of years now...

Don't take impingement lightly. It can eventually chew through tendons. I know from personal experience.

I think that's why he wanted me to go ahead and get the arthro and MRI even though I told him it wasn't really slowing me down........yet.

Wow! After just hearing about all the aches and pains, my shoulder doesn't hurt as much anymore. Seriously though, thanks for all the tips!

Edgar, believe me, you are not alone!!
Pain from whatever is why most boaters have a bottle of generic ibuprofen in their possibles bag.

When you're an older paddler like me, if it ain't hurtin', it ain't workin'. :myday"

Owl wrote:When you're an older paddler like me, if it ain't hurtin', it ain't workin'. :myday"

Bad news is I'm still a pup.

Yes to all of the above. Xrays will determine the alignment and spacing of the joint. A narrowing of the space between the shoulder and the arm (humerus and acromion) can cause pinching (impingement) of one of the rotator cuff muscles. It will not tell you the condition of the soft tissue (muscles, tendons, etc), an MRI will do that. Bone spurs, etc may eventually require surgery. Impingement from overuse, bad posture, recent trauma can be resolved with good therapy . Please be sure to find an MD/PT or OT who specializes in shoulders. Note that you really don't have to see a therapist 3 times a week for xxx weeks if they give you a good home exercise program and explain to you the mechanics of the problem. Steroid shots? I wouldn't unless it was absolutely killing me. With regards to yoga, YES. I've a lousy lumbar spine. I began with Iyengar yoga several years ago and am now doing Hot Yoga. Hot Yoga is more intense but it has become the best thing I've ever done for my ortho aches and pains.

Thanks, I don't have insurance so the MRI is out, but if it gets worse I might look for a PT that specializes in shoulders.