The shoulder is one of the most intricate joints in the body. Because it is attached to other numerous muscles and bones, shoulder pain as the result of weightlifting can be debilitating, making even simple tasks like lifting unbearable. Because shoulder pain can sometimes signal a serious problem, it is important to understand what kinds of conditions cause pain in the shoulders and how they can be prevented.
Causes
Shoulder pain as the result of weightlifting can be due to a variety of situations and conditions. Excessive weightlifting can cause tiny fractures in the bones of the shoulder. In addition, overworking the muscles can cause pain. You can also experience pain if you strain or sprain muscles or tendons in the shoulder area. In addition, you can develop shoulder pain from blunt trauma, such as dropping a weight on your upper body.
Treatments
To treat shoulder pain, the FamilyDoctor website recommends resting your shoulders. Do not lift heavy objects and take a break from strenuous activity. Apply an ice pack to the shoulders to relieve pain and inflammation. Take an anti-inflammatory medication such as naproxen, aspirin or ibuprofen. For chronic shoulder pain, a doctor can suggest range-of-motion exercises that involve rotating the shoulder in big circles. A doctor will need to surgically repair any torn tissue or fractures.
Prevention
To prevent pain in the shoulders from weightlifting, make sure that you warm up your muscles before each session. You can do arm stretches and exercises such as arm circles. These will help increase the temperature of your shoulder muscles and make them stronger, more pliable and less likely to become injured. Don't overwork your shoulders. Take a 48-hour break between weightlifting sessions to minimize pain and injury.
Warnings
You can severely damage the shoulder area if you do not make adjustments to your weightlifting routine -- such as changing your technique or increasing time between sessions -- despite shoulder pain. Degenerative changes can occur to the muscles and joints of the shoulder area, increasing your risk of shoulder injury as you continue weightlifting. A doctor will need to surgically correct any tears or stabilize bones or joints.
