Been Lurking..Intro and question about shoulder pain...

[Gamut]

Hello all...I've been lurking around the boards for a month or two and have really learned a lot.

That said...I am 32 and in the military. I work out for fitness and function with aesthetics being down the list a little...but still important to me.

I'm in better shape than most but I'm sure I am a total wimp next to some of you! LOL.

Here is my question...I really love the standing overhead press with a barbell. It just feels great and badass you know?

The problem is, I get serious long lasting shoulder pain from it. It took almost a month for the pain to go away.

I have never been involved in serious weight training at any point in my life and think maybe I am getting the pain because I am out of balance somewhere. Like maybe I am able lift more than I should be attempting at this point.

Are there any other exercises I should do to strengthen my shoulders in a way to prevent the pain?

Thanks for any input and thanks for all the posts I have learned from already.

 

[musketeer]

So where's the pain?

Is it in the delts, your clavicles, near the neck or on the back of the shoulder, maybe even up on your back in the rhomboid area?

To strengthen the girdle, and he whole core to boot, without pressing, try overhead squats and power-cleans.

 

[Gamut]

Thanks musketeer. The pain is right at the top of the delt where it meets the bone. It feels like the pain is actually underneath the bone....not sure if that makes any sense.

I do power-cleans and love them! I will give a shot to some overhead squats.

 

[iggy]

sup bro. welcome to EF!

you should get that shoulder checked out.

what are your stats/goals/diet/split like?

 

[Gamut]

Thanks iggy.

Well it is both shoulders....that tells me that I am doing something wrong or need to strengthen things up somehow. I want to keep doing the overhead press...but need to figure out why it hurts first.

I'm not really chasing any specific goals. I just work out as hard as possible and try to increase the weight/reps each time. I eat healthy and use whey protein but I don't really have the time/focus/money to make training a huge part of my life.

I do enjoy reading about it and learning from others so what time I DO have to work out, it can be as effective as possible.

My favorite lifts are Deads, Squats, Bench Press, Overhead Press, Pull - Ups and standing Barbell Curls.

 

[iggy]

i see. hows your diet?

 

[Gamut]

i see. hows your diet?

I don't really eat much garbage...mostly fresh meats, whole grains, fruits and veggies. I probably don't eat enough to put on serious weight. I like looking trim and if I eat more I will have to up the cardio...something I just dont have time for.

As it is I do sprints outside several times per week. After every upper body workout I do 20 minutes on the treadmill and 20 minutes of 1 minute sprints/1.5 minutes slow on the recumbent bike.

I am a vitamin/herb/anti-oxidant freak. I take multi vitamins/minerals/EGCg and Omega-3's daily....other things as I feel I need them.

I would think the multi-vitamin and Omega-3's would help out my joints....for some reason my shoulder joints just feel weak.

 

[iggy]

do you sleep on them?

 

[Gamut]

Wow never thought of that one.

Actually I do....a lot. My best way to sleep is on my stomach with my arms up and under my pillow....or on my side with the bottom arm under my pillow and head.

Have you heard of that being a problem before?

 

[iggy]

yeah. i sleep the same arm technique you do. its very bad for your shoulders. try finding a different way to sleep and that will remove some joint pain on your shoulders. hope that helps.

- iggy