[Andy F]

My right shoulder has a dull ache and makes audible 'crunching' sounds when I rotate it with the arm stretched. I can't place a single event that has caused this. Movement feels most restricted when moving the arm in the horizontal plane and behind (i.e. pointing backwards). I have been doing a lot of routing but not majorly shouldery stuff recently.  Any clues, or is it tme to visit hospital/physio? I'm taking Ibruprofen morning and night, which does ease the aching considerably.

[SA Chris]

I have always had whis is apparently called "hyper-mobile" shoulders that grind and crunch all the time, and get worse as i get older. After a heavy swimming or surfing session they tend to ache a bit, but it never seems to last for more than a day or so. I have been given theraband routines to do in the past, but they never seem to make a massive amount of help, so I just live with it.

Do you ever do any stretching?

[Andy F]

The only stretching I do is for holds or cold beers 

[BenF]

The only stretching I do is for holds or cold beers 

Well get to it then Andy.  A bit of stretching rarely does any harm.

I also think that you should spend longer warming up at the start of your training sessions.  Certainly when you're at the board I think that you start pulling hard far too soon.  Again, more stretching before you pull on and then many more easy moves before you start pulling hard will probably reduce chances of injury or maybe this pain that you've been getting.  I generally work on spending between half an hour and a full hour warming up (stretching and then easier climbing gradually working up in difficulty) both at the crag and the board.  It can be a ball ache but it not only seems to limit injuries but also seems to lead to a longer session/day out.

[GCW]

Is it tender anywhere?
I assume there was no specific injury from what you say.
Try these:
Arm loose at side whilst standing, lift arms straight in front as far as you can.
Same start, out to sides and above head, then slowly down.
Tuck elbows into sides and turn forearms out.
Put hand behind back like you were putting your (sorry, "a") bra on.

How's that?  Any pain with those?

[webbo]

most women fasten their bras at the front then swivel it round.
having said this i cound not do what you mean without some discomfort, the others my shoulder is a bit stiff.
what does this mean other than i should put my bra on like the missus.

[SA Chris]

Keep those moobs in place webbo?

I think best thing for crunchy shoulders is eat less crunchies; wheat or cadburys.

[fatdoc]

if you're in sheff go see the sports massage therapist in the woodseats chiropractor clinic, Paul Wilson.

very highly regarded by his clients and some of the best surgeons in the country. He has the skill to tell you what is wrong, his fees are very reasonable and if he cant fix you he'll tell you straight up.

if not in sheff then ask like minded folk who the local expert is to see.

[blur]

I have the exact same thing!  Strange...what theraband exercises are best? Mine is swollen more on the back of the shoulder...and had no specific event that caused it, so I'm abit lost on what the problem is!
How long has it been hurting for Andy F? And whereabouts in the shoulder does the pain come from? Mine actually varies at the minute...any help would be appreciated, thankyou!   

[Andy F]

It's only been hurting since I climbed on Sunday. I tried bouldering on Tues but found I could pull even less than normal, but it was ok on easy routes (upto 7a). The dull ache is still there and the pain seem to be travelling down my right bicep (if that makes any sense). It's definately not muscular (despite the ache in the bicep),the pain feels more like its inside the shoulder cuff. Is it possible cartilage damage?

I'm in Liverpool so if anyone knows a specialist that would be helpful.

[webbo]

this sounds very similar to mine.i have no idea how it occurred and its variable in that some times i can pull hard with no effects yet other times warming up hurts.
i have the osteopath look at it a few times and he thinks it might be an in pinged tendon in my shoulder.as for treatment surgery,stop climbing,chop your arm it doesn't appear to be that clear.i also saw a neuro surgeon regarding it as my g.p. thought it might be nerve damage.he was clear that it wasn't nerve damage but he'd no idea what it was or where to refer me to find out.
i also used to to those theraband exs that are reccomended for shoulders prior to and since this problem occurred.however i have seen little benefit and the osteo says that some of the exs might actually exacerbate the problem.

[Johnny Brown]

I have always had whis is apparently called "hyper-mobile" shoulders that grind and crunch all the time, and get worse as i get older. I have been given theraband routines to do in the past, but they never seem to make a massive amount of help, so I just live with it.

Ditto. Spent a load of cash on physio, little improvement despite assurances that it would only take a few sessions to 'cure'. Now do Yoga, seems to help as long as I go at least once a week.

[GCW]

Andy- if there was no injury it could be a few things, but my well be related to LHB or subacromial/cuff issue.
Go see someone that knows.

[SA Chris]

I have always had whis is apparently called "hyper-mobile" shoulders that grind and crunch all the time, and get worse as i get older. I have been given theraband routines to do in the past, but they never seem to make a massive amount of help, so I just live with it.

Ditto. Spent a load of cash on physio, little improvement despite assurances that it would only take a few sessions to 'cure'. Now do Yoga, seems to help as long as I go at least once a week.

I was doing it over the winter and it helped, but have neglected it a bit over the summer. Got a week of surfing on Hebrides up and coming, might need a couple of yoga sessions before then. Probably take sponge as well in case they totally conk in.

[Ena]

My shoulders make crunchy noises when I rotate, but don't normally hurt. I noticed this a few years ago when doing weights. I'm 43 and have climbed on and off since I was 16. I don't take any old man supplements - maybe it's time? It has never bothered me enough to worry about it, but I did get very painful shoulders last summer doing dyno training, I don't think that pain and the crunching are related.

Interestingly, my shoulder flexibility has improved massively in the last two months since I stopped climbing. I'm starting again now, so will keep an eye on things. Any ideas?

[SA Chris]

Any ideas?

I once had the idea of making champagne using white wine and a Soda Stream drinks maker. It didn't work.

[blur]

I've heard many conflicting views...so, if it was a sprained rotator cuff, would that mean it would be immensely painful lifting my arm above my head?

[GCW]

Cuff problems mostly give limitation of your abduction and extension.  And a painful arc.  But not always.