rotator cuff soreness

[Damien Voorhees]

Hello, I have had a minor problem with my shoulder that I have had for as long as I can remember. I don't believe it was an injury. It only gets sore when I lift. If I bench press it is the only time it really hurts. If I DB press with my hands slightly turned, there's no problem. My chiroprator said it is a rotator cuff [RC] problem. My questions is: Even though I do a specific RC exercise which works well, how can I prevent inadvertanlty messing up my RC. I love working out and getting bigger so much that I think about it all of the time and I don't want my enthusiasm to end up causing me to make a mistake. Thanks!

[G o r t]

If it only hurts after barbell benching, check your form.

Depending on your bone structure, you may have to avoid wide grips and keep your elbows in more. Impingement is a common problem with a wide grip and if you keep doing it the pain can become chronic.

Read This. (http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/i/impingementsyndrome.htm)

[Damien Voorhees]

Thanks for the link ant the advice!

[bigdogsonly]

First U need to see a orthopedic specialist and make sure nothing is torn, (Rotator cuff). I just experienced this and mine is partially torn. Doc said it didn't require surgery, but told me to lighten my weight on bench and stop all overhead movement and flys for a month to let it heal. Then build up gradually. If u find out it's not torn I'd see if there were some altenatives to building up your RC other than weights, like some stretch bands.