Swimmer’s Shoulder

Swimmer’s shoulder is also known as shoulder impingement. Swimmer’s shoulder is shoulder pain caused by connective tissue rubbing against the shoulder blade. Swimmer’s shoulder is a condition in most swimmers which often bothers their shoulder due to constant joint rotation.

“Shoulder pain is the most frequent orthopedic injury in swimmers, with a reported prevalence between 40% and 91%. In contrast to most other sports, where the legs initiate the propulsive force, swimming athletes primarily use their arms to generate forward thrust (Sports Health. 2012 May; Epidemiology of Injuries and Prevention Strategies in Competitive Swimmers).”

Causes of swimmer’s shoulder may include

• Improper form
• Poor stroke mechanics
• Previous shoulder injury
• Overuse of the shoulder

Symptoms of swimmer’s shoulder may include

• Muscle weakness
• Muscle fatigue
• Reduced range of motion
• Shoulder pain
• Shoulder stiffness
• Shoulder instability
• Swelling or tenderness in the shoulder

Home activities that can help a swimmer's shoulder include rest from the activities that cause discomfort, application of heat and ice, stretching and strengthening of the affected muscle groups. Other treatments may include steroid injections, ergonomic adjustments and physical therapy.

Physical therapy can help minimize swimmer’s shoulder symptoms. A physical therapist can evaluate your symptoms and create a unique treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Stretches, strengthening exercises and joint stabilization exercises can help heal your shoulder. To prevent re-injury make sure you take time to rest and evaluate your form since poor swimming mechanics can lead to injury.

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Sources: NCBI, ClevelandClinic

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Written by:

Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT

President

Reddy Care Physical Therapy

Reddy Care Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.