The popularity of rock climbing has increased since 2000, and with that increase, shoulder injuries are on the rise. You use your shoulder in overhead movements and climbing places your arm overhead as you ascend a wall. If you experience pain, weakness or instability in your shoulder, seek a doctor's attention quickly so that you will be able to prevent further injury and can continue up the wall.
Tendinitis
The constant pulling motion that you use when climbing can overstress your shoulder tendons. Tendinitis, or tendon inflammation, may feel like a deep, achy pain in your shoulder. This tendon attaches your bicep muscle, the front of your upper arm, to your shoulder and if inflamed, you may experience pain and weakness during climbing.
Rotator Cuff
Your rotator cuff muscles provide the movement in your shoulder. These muscles attach your shoulder blade to your upper arm and even though the cuff is powerful, it is not a large muscle group. This small size leaves the rotator susceptible to tears. If you use one arm to pull your entire body up over a difficult portion of your climb, you may stress the rotator cuff. If you repeatedly stress this area, an injury may occur.
Impingement
Shoulder impingement may be the result of inflammation in the shoulder joint from excessive overhead movements. This inflammation may be in the rotator cuff and can result in the top of your shoulder blade rubbing against the rotator cuff as you lift your arm. This impingement will limit range of motion in your shoulder and result in pain.
Dislocation
Overuse can weaken the tendons and ligaments that hold your shoulder in place. Climbing, like other exercise, requires rest so that your body can repair. If rest is not available, a weakness in your shoulder support system may lead to a shoulder dislocation or instability. This may be painful, or feel as if your shoulder is slipping out of place.
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