Does anyone else get shoulder pains whilst running?? - Health + Injury

jel

28/11/2002 at 21:39

Strangely enough I get pains in my shoulders sometimes (not all the time) whilst running. The pain is occassionally bad enough for me to stop running.

Does anyone else get this or has anyone any ideas as to causes/remedies?

Thanks

Sore Toes

28/11/2002 at 22:04

Yes Jel, I do too. Sometimes I wonder if its sports bra related, or just holding my shoulders tense if the run's not going well - its definitely worse when the goings tough. I find it helps if I hunch my shoulders hard and then really relax a couple of times.

Hope you find a solution!
Cheers
Jo.

jel

28/11/2002 at 22:07

Thanks for the advice Jo but I don't appreciate you telling the world that I am a secret sports bra wearer!:P

Pizza Man:-)

29/11/2002 at 00:00

So Jel what sports bra do you find best?

Is it one shoulder or 2?
If it's one it could be due to having a leg length descrepency.

WildWill..... pirate

pirate

29/11/2002 at 08:13

Jel

I suffer this from time to time, I find it is normally caused through being too tense - try to relax more when running

if it helps carry 2 small bits of broom stick whilest running - hold them loosely in your hands this will help you ro relax your muscles more when running

Will

Mr A

29/11/2002 at 09:37

Thanks everyone - I sometimes get this too. But the advice from Will has to be some of the weirdest I've yet seen? Two bits of broomstick??? Mind you, knowing Will, it probably works.....

WildWill..... pirate

pirate

29/11/2002 at 09:38

Mr A - I try to live up to my name

jel

29/11/2002 at 14:04

Pizzaman,

No personal favourite bra I'm afraid but in the words of that dodgy tennis "star": "Only the ball should bounce." !!

It varies, sometimes its just one shoulder then others it can be both at the same time.

Cheers

Jel

Bionic Ironwolf pirate

pirate

29/11/2002 at 21:08

'Two bits of broomstick'? Are you running or flying, WW? Or maybe you've watched too much Harry Potter.

manderling

27/07/2003 at 09:45

i often get this along with neck ache - i find warming up that area before a run helps. hunch your shoulders to your ears a few times, then circle your arms forwards, then hunch again,circle arms backwards.

Buney

27/07/2003 at 11:48

just picturing WW running with 2 bits of broomstick - i take it you dont mean the bristley end ?

XFR Bear

27/07/2003 at 11:51

I'd agree with the advice above re tensing the shoulders, but I used to find that some routes where I ran on the same camber all the way were bad for sore shoulders - presumably because I was trying to keep my head level so one shoulder was doing all the work. It's also not good for the feet for similar reasons.

Barnsley Runner

27/07/2003 at 12:07

Always get pain in right shoulder in marathons / long runs. I have a displaced bone there - a real `chip on my shoulder'. This is down to a back fall of my bike about 6 years ago. Does not affect mobility, ability to play golf, cricket etc. but running finds it out.

I generally run for a bit with my arms by my side, not very efficient but taking a different position relaxes the overtense muscles and means I can carry on. If not a numbness takes over most of my right upper torso.

Miss C

15/09/2004 at 21:24

I have been getting a severe ache/cramp in along the top of left shoulder every time I do a long run in the past few months. I had put it down to bad posture whilst seated at my desk at work, but even changing that hasn't helped. I'm getting sports massage treatment for my shoulders, neck and upper back which seems to be only a temporary resolution.

Nothing I seem to do stops the aching reappearing, I just have to run through it. I find that holding my arm extended at shoulder level and turning my head to look to the right gets a stretch along the area, but obviously you can hold this for a few seconds whilst running, to avoid trees and people etc.

I would be very interested to hear if anyone has come up with a method which prevents these aches and pains occuring, it's worse than blisters, stitches and shin splints all at the same time! Help!

jelly bean

16/09/2004 at 09:19

I had a problem with my right shoulder on longer runs (10 miles +) a dull ache and stiffness. I've found that when I'm using the gym and working my shoulders I have no problems but when I lapse the problem comes back! Make of that what you will!

mellifera

pirate

16/09/2004 at 09:36

It might be stitch - the shoulder is a pain referral site for the diaphragm. It will be felt as quite a sharp, stabbing pain rather than an ache that develops gradually.

but could just be muscular - your arms are fairly heavy!

Pavey.

16/09/2004 at 10:03

I'd heard that you can get it from running with your fists clenched too tightly. I'm always relaxed so it's never been a problem for me.

Jill Neill

16/09/2004 at 11:16

Ah, thanks, Mellifera. I sometimes get what I could swear was stitch in the front of my shoulder. Usually goes if I stretch my arms out behind me a few times.

Miss C

16/09/2004 at 17:15

so if it is a "shoulder-stitch", how do i avoid getting them in future?

Darren Holloway

19/09/2004 at 19:47

I experianced these problems earlier in year during marathon training, had to swing both arms in a circle to ease pain whilst running.
Physio told me to roll a bath towel up and lie on it with towel running down the center of your back , Its worked for me, lie on it for 15mins each time your training run is finished.