Shoulder pain during overhead db press

[yazan]

Pretty much what the title is. But it's weird. The first couple reps were on then I started to feel pain when my arm is about half way up and the pain is there until I start lowering the db. I have no prob with the weight I managed to work through the pain for a set. But anyone have any idea?

[OrganicShadow]

When speaking of overhead press (usually barbell) I ask about daily activities that influence posture. Someone sitting at a computer desk with their elbows on the table are far less likely to perform an overhead press with good form and not cause some strain.

[bigguyn10ec]

when you do them dont bring them together at the top Only do the press movement. One thing I do I not go so deep with the movement and not meet at the top .
This does two things. One keeps your shoulders in a tight position and not stretched out in the top at the weakest point , or stretched out at the bottom.
I like doing it to where the weight are a right at my ears then back up , without bringing them together. This keep tension on the muscle the whole time. I hope this helps.
Also by doing some rotator cuff warmup before any pressing or pulling movement is a must!.

[NYiron]

If you are protracted or internally rotated at your glenohumeral joint you could be suffering a shoulder impingement and/or subacromial bursitis. Where exactly is the pain felt and does it occur during any other exercises (ie. during GH abduction, extension, flexion, external or internal rotation)? Like organicshadow had said your posture has a lot to do with this. Perform this test, this is for shoulder impingement. Place the hand of the affected shoulder across your body and on the unaffected shoulder. Keep the palm firmly in contact with your shoulder then raise your elbow to your nose without flexing your neck to assist in contact. If pain is experienced at any point, do not push through it, or the test can not be completed it is a pretty good indication of shoulder impingement and you may want to seek the help of a professional. the forum wont let me pos the picture yet but if you google: Elbow raise shoulder impingement test, the first picture is a good representation.

[Rodja]

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...40-mcd02.hydra

[NYiron]

^ looks like a great article just skimmed it going to have to do a full read though

[bigguyn10ec]

If you are protracted or internally rotated at your glenohumeral joint you could be suffering a shoulder impingement and/or subacromial bursitis. Where exactly is the pain felt and does it occur during any other exercises (ie. during GH abduction, extension, flexion, external or internal rotation)? Like organicshadow had said your posture has a lot to do with this. Perform this test, this is for shoulder impingement. Place the hand of the affected shoulder across your body and on the unaffected shoulder. Keep the palm firmly in contact with your shoulder then raise your elbow to your nose without flexing your neck to assist in contact. If pain is experienced at any point, do not push through it, or the test can not be completed it is a pretty good indication of shoulder impingement and you may want to seek the help of a professional. the forum wont let me pos the picture yet but if you google: Elbow raise shoulder impingement test, the first picture is a good representation.

Great post. I can do this but Its like I cant get my shoulder to work right. Like My muscles are confused. It dont hurt, just like it dont want to work. Whats that mean?

[rhino67jg]

Thats what happened to me. Went for mri & found out i have arthritis.. I used to do dumbell presses with 85's, now i have to use lighter weight on machine press.

[NYiron]

Great post. I can do this but Its like I cant get my shoulder to work right. Like My muscles are confused. It dont hurt, just like it dont want to work. Whats that mean?

That could mean a number of things but i would need to see the movement to better analyze what is going on.

[OrganicShadow]

That article is awesome, thanks rodja. Not as much whining as usually seen in T-Nation articles too.

bigguy brings up a valid point: when going heavy (which at this point you should not be) limit yourself to the 90 degree mark and dont dig too deep.

I dont think I fully understand how to do that test NYiron, i get what your trying to achieve but im just not seeing it right away.

[NYiron]

That article is awesome, thanks rodja. Not as much whining as usually seen in T-Nation articles too.

bigguy brings up a valid point: when going heavy (which at this point you should not be) limit yourself to the 90 degree mark and dont dig too deep.

I dont think I fully understand how to do that test NYiron, i get what your trying to achieve but im just not seeing it right away.

The test is actually demonstrated and used as a diagnostic in the article. Its the second shoulder mobility test seen in the beginning of the article.

[OrganicShadow]

OH OK I get it. And I can do it, nice.

[ZiR RED]

If you are protracted or internally rotated at your glenohumeral joint you could be suffering a shoulder impingement and/or subacromial bursitis. Where exactly is the pain felt and does it occur during any other exercises (ie. during GH abduction, extension, flexion, external or internal rotation)? Like organicshadow had said your posture has a lot to do with this. Perform this test, this is for shoulder impingement. Place the hand of the affected shoulder across your body and on the unaffected shoulder. Keep the palm firmly in contact with your shoulder then raise your elbow to your nose without flexing your neck to assist in contact. If pain is experienced at any point, do not push through it, or the test can not be completed it is a pretty good indication of shoulder impingement and you may want to seek the help of a professional. the forum wont let me pos the picture yet but if you google: Elbow raise shoulder impingement test, the first picture is a good representation.

Whats interesting, or perhaps should tell you something, is that this test for impingement mimics the range of motion used when doing upright rows. . . All the more reason NOT to do upright rows.

Br

[NYiron]

Whats interesting, or perhaps should tell you something, is that this test for impingement mimics the range of motion used when doing upright rows. . . All the more reason NOT to do upright rows.

Br

I have never been a fan of upright rows for this reason and a very good point to make for those reading.

[hyperCat]

I've basically stopped doing all overhead lifts because of impingements. Already had one subacromial decompression surgery, and it kinda sucked. As soon as I started getting symptoms in my other shoulder, I said screw it - I'm not going there again...

[OrganicShadow]

If I'm gonna do an upright motion it'll be some variation of the traditional upright. I may skip it altogether and go for the horizontal raise... Better peaking motion.

[yazan]

I forgot to check on the thread for a bit. Thx for all the info. Untried the test and I feel slight pain at the end of the motion. I guess I should stop the overhead lifts for now. Again thx for the help

[bigguyn10ec]

dang as my shoulder is getting better, I do flat bench and bam.. messed up again.. !!!

[Rodja]

That article is awesome, thanks rodja. Not as much whining as usually seen in T-Nation articles too.

bigguy brings up a valid point: when going heavy (which at this point you should not be) limit yourself to the 90 degree mark and dont dig too deep.

I dont think I fully understand how to do that test NYiron, i get what your trying to achieve but im just not seeing it right away.

I would rather use just the bar and have a full ROM than do partials with a heavier weight. It gets the joint used to moving through the correct ROM and is one of the best, albeit boring, methods to rehab a movement.

dang as my shoulder is getting better, I do flat bench and bam.. messed up again.. !!!

Where do you bring the bar on your torso? At your height, you should be aiming for the lower sternum/xyphoid process or the upper abs.

[bigguyn10ec]

I think I go for the nipple area. Which I guess when Im positioned correctly should be about right. ( meaning I have my lats tight chest up butt firmly on bench ect. ) If I try a more powerlifting position ( arms tucked ) I have lots of shoulder pain when doing heavy sets. If I do a more bodybuilding style I dont have as much pain but I feel it in my shoulders more.

Makes no sense to me at all. I think this is why I do DB most of the time. I just like to throw barbells in once in a while to see where my gains are at.