This 19.7km swim may not be on your bucket list, but swimming is a great sport for the body. ‘Swimmers Shoulder’ is a general umbrella term for shoulder pain caused by the repetitive nature of the activity itself. This is unfortunately very common amongst swimmers, with 30% of elite swimmers experiencing shoulder pain that stops them from training.
What causes Swimmers Shoulder?
The pain associated with Swimmers Shoulder is usually due to the pinching of the rotator cuff tendons or the bursa (a fluid filled sac to reduce friction) underneath the arch of the shoulder. When this occurs it is important to commence rehabilitation as soon as possible to restore the balance of the rotator cuff muscles around the shoulder joint.
How did I develop Swimmers Shoulder?
There is no right answer for this, but there are a number of reasons as to why it may have happened, including:
- Poor posture
- Muscle tightness
- Hyper (increased) or hypo (decreased) mobility of the shoulder joint
- Stiffness of the neck or back
- Long duration training sessions
- Excessive paddle or kick work
- Breathing on one side
- Poor technique
Even if you are not swimming on the Saturday 24th February 2018, head on down to experience the great atmosphere. Check out http://rottnestchannelswim.com.au/ for more information on the event!
Please contact us on 9301 4711 if you would like to book an appointment or find out more information.