Pain during lateral raises

[jackangel]

When doing dumbell laterals with heavier weight (for me, 20lbs), I feel a strong aching pain in my right shoulder/upper arm area, but only when lowering the weight back down. It's similar (in feel) to the pain you might feel in your forearms after letting go of the bar when doing curls (or perhaps even bench).

Does anyone know if there's a change in technique which will prevent this pain? Some people do these raises with the pinky side of the hand tilted up a bit, but I've never tried that. Is that supposed to make it more comfortable, or just work the muscles slightly differently.

thanks,
rp:AUM

 

[ghee]

If I don't warm up, I get what sounds like a similar type of pain in my shoulders when doing raises. If you don't already, do a light warm up set (with 10 lbs, or whatever). This fixes it for me. I injured my shoulder about ten years ago, and I can feel it without that warm up set. (I went tubing while in street clothes on a lake that was freshly thawed, and told the guy driving the power boat that he could never throw me off the inner tube. Whoops.)

 

[spatts]

Are you arms straight or bent?

Are you leading with your elbows?

Do you "pour the milk" a the top part of the move?

 

[The Red Dragon]

I have the same problem/pain/same weight . Except the pain I have is right near the shoulder joint. I can't do any shoulder exercises immediately after that, happens with reversed flyes (for rear delts). I don't do any type of fly anymore. I still do lateral raises because the pain disappates within a few minutes.

 

[jackangel]

I don't do any warmup for that movement specifically. It's always done at some point after dumbell militaries (and usually traps as well). Since the weight I use is light anyhow, I start with 10lbs, then 15lbs, then try to get some reps with 20lbs. My arms are bent somewhat, but I don't lead with my elbows or 'pour the milk' at the top. My arms are level at all times.

 

[spatts]

Try this (please):

Put your arms to your sides as if you had just pulled guns out of a holster. Then, maintain the 90 degree bend in your arm, and raise your arms to the side. Make sure your hands, the weight, your elbows are all at the same level. When you get to the peak of the contraction up top, let the weights tip inward as if you were pouring two jugs of milk. This works the same muscle, but is easier on the joints because the weight is closer to your body. Better leverage. If this isn't making sense, I'll get a video to you.

 

[jackangel]

Thank you spatts

My mental 'as got it, and I'll try it at the gym to see how it does for me.

 

[The Red Dragon]

Thank you spatts
Sounds simple enough