- Joined
- Jul 28, 2009
- Messages
- 6,318
I think what you are describing is by far the most common shoulder issue, impingement. There are several things that cause impingement, but it usually starts with strain/injury to the supraspinatus muscle that comes off the back of the shoulder blade and passes through the AC joint. Once this becomes inflamed, it causes impingement in the limited space of the AC joint and causes the biceps tendon, which also passes through the AC joint to impinge also. Supraspinatus impingement causes pain the in rear delt muscle, biceps impingement causes pain in the anterior shoulder. Ultimately the issue that strains/injures the supraspinatus is usually related to weakness or improper firing of the Serratus Anterior muscle. Overly tight pectoral minor and subscapularis is also common. While the diagnosis of impingement is extremely common, especially in weight lifters, the cause and solution is often complex and individual. You need a good doctor (and by doctor I mean physical therapist, they are full doctors) to diagnose exactly what is going on and design therapy and exercises. Issues like this generally develop over many years or decades and can take many months or even years to fully resolve. Often certain muscles and nerve firing patterns have to be retrained. Athletic trainers, chiropractors, exercise physiologists, and other types of practitioners will do little for you.