SHOULDER PAIN RELATED TO SWIMMING

As summer draws to an end, many of you might be enjoying the last few weeks of splashing in the cool water of a swimming pool or hitting the beach to play in the tossing waves. Swimming is indeed a great sport and recreational activity loved by many to exercise their bodies and relax their minds. But, as fun as this activity might sound, swimmers are prone to several overuse injuries, especially related to the shoulder.

Approximately 90% of swimmers seeking help from their healthcare providers complain about shoulder-related pain or injuries; the swimmer’s shoulder being the most common problem.  If you have been grappling with a swimmer’s shoulder or other shoulder-related injuries specifically related to swimming, read on for some valuable insights to relieve yourself of the pain, and get back in the water before the summer weather turns to a cool autumn breeze.

What is a Swimmer’s Shoulder?

Swimmer’s shoulder is the most common injury experienced by novices as well as expert swimmers due to repetitive rotation of the shoulder joint. It is basically an umbrella term used to refer to the discomfort or pain of the tendons (supraspinatus or rotator-cuff and the long head of biceps) and other structures enclosed by the subacromial space (the space just below the acromion, or the topmost bone of the shoulder, and just above the humerus or upper arm bone).

Swimmer’s shoulder might seem a little irritating at its inception but can lead to chronic pain if left untreated. It can hamper your other day-to-day activities making things like sleeping on your side, carrying shopping bags, reaching overhead, and swimming, feel cumbersome and uncomfortable.

Signs and Symptoms of Swimmer’s Shoulder

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of a swimmer’s shoulder as shared by our competent healthcare experts at Mainway Physiotherapy.

• Sharp pain, particularly along the back of your shoulder

• Increase in pain due to repetitive use of shoulder muscles

• Reduced strength and range of motion in your shoulder

• Increased joint laxity in one shoulder as compared to the other

• Bicep and supraspinatus tendon (part of the rotator cuff) inflammation 

• Pain traveling from your shoulder up to your neck or down your arm

• Multidirectional Glenohumeral Instability (MDI) versus excessive mobility of the shoulder joint

If you have been experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, you can make an appointment at Mainway Physiotherapy to seek expert therapy to help mitigate your pain and to improve mobility and your overall well-being.

What Causes a Swimmer’s Shoulder?

Swimmer’s shoulder is a very common complaint amongst newbies as well as expert swimmers as they tend to aggravate their shoulders due to repetitive shoulder joint rotation. Here are some of the common causes that lead to a swimmer’s shoulder.

• Insufficient warm-up before swimming 

• Over-training or over-exertion

• Improper or poor swimming technique

• Muscular imbalance

• Fatigue

• Use of large hand paddles

• Hypermobility or instability

If any of these reasons persist for a long time, it can lead to severe complications including rotator cuff tears, cartilage, ligament or capsule damage, tendonitis, bursitis, etc.

How Can Mainway Physiotherapy Help You?

Mainway Physiotherapy is a team of registered physiotherapists, and massage therapists who are experts at treating shoulder pain and injuries caused by swimming; and many other sports or day-to-day functions.

We assess the problems of every patient empathetically and meticulously and provide them with tailored solutions to overcome their nagging pain and improve their well-being.  Our treatment plan typically includes any one or a combination of our physiotherapy techniques such as massage therapy or acupuncture, depending on the cause and severity of the pain. Along with these therapies, we teach our patients preventive and strengthening exercises to help protect their muscles and avoid future injuries. 

If you have been grappling with shoulder pain, swimming-related or otherwise, contact Mainway Physiotherapy so we can help get you back in the water and living a more pain-free, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle.