Swimmer’s Shoulder

By Heidi Austin, DPT

Swimmer’s Shoulder

This year I’ve been dealing with nagging shoulder pain with swimming long distances. Despite some early-season frustration, I think I’ve been cured. To help out my fellow triathletes/patients who may be experiencing the same thing, I thought I would share what I’ve learned from research as well as from my own personal rehab. To keep it simple, I’m breaking it down into a “to do” list. In my particular case, I’ve been dealing with shoulder impingement.

What is impingement, you ask? Impingement occurs when the rotator cuff tendons are compressed by part of the shoulder blade (acromion) with overhead activity. As the arm is lifted, the acromion rubs, or “impinges” on, the surface of the rotator cuff. This causes pain and limits movement. Please note these guidelines are only specific to that diagnosis.

If you want to learn more about the anatomy of the shoulder, go to this VIDEO.

Heidi’s “To Do’s” for Swimmer’s Shoulder

1. Take a good look at your posture: Do you have a forward head or rounded shoulders? Do you sit all day in a slumped position at your job/school? How many hours a day are you sitting? For a quick reference, look at your profile in the mirror. The head should be centered over the shoulders, and the hips should sit underneath the shoulders. As a side note, this position does require some extra energy. Your neck and shoulders will thank you later!
2. Try out a posture shirt: Although there is no published research yet to support their usage, they can increase your postural awareness and proprioception. Note: it has to fit very tight to get the job done. I have worn mine throughout the workday and during bike trainer sessions. Because of its tight fit, I’ve only worn in it for 1-3 hours at a time. Kinesio-taping could provide a similar fix if you really can’t afford to miss your training. Make sure you purchase the waterproof type.
3. Strengthen your rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers! You can stop by and see your friendly JOI PT for recommendations. Some of my favorites include:

• I’s, T’s, Y’s
• Banded Rows

• Banded External and Internal Rotation

4. Avoid kickboards as they put your shoulder in a position of impingement.
5. Stay away from the paddles. Paddles add resistance to your stroke and will only make the pain worse.
6. REST if you can until you fix the root of the problem.
7. If you can’t rest, keep your workouts below 4000 m until the pain subsides.
8. Have a professional take a look at your stroke.
9. See a good sports physical therapist at JOI 🙂
10. And since I know most of you crazy endurance athletes will ignore #6, I will say it one more time:

REST!

JOI and JOI Rehab

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.

By: Heidi Austin, DPT