Author Topic: Shoulder Problems  (Read 5323 times)

Offline mood481

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Shoulder Problems
« on: January 22, 2010, 01:16:53 AM »
Well, I'm new to flatland (3rd week) and my shoulders keep popping out of place. Both my left and right shoulder have popped out since I started. I am working on half hydrants,half-lashes, fork glides, and steamrollers. I was wondering if this is common for beginners or is it a setup problem? Is there any stretching/exercises, techniques, and or setups that would help ease the stress on the shoulders. Also, I'm a pretty big dude, 6'2" and 215. I keep thinking to myself that my bars are too short (stock DK Opsis bars). Could this contribute to the problem?

Thanks
-Josh

Offline Scuffy

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2010, 01:25:59 AM »
Have you ever done any damage to your shoulders in the past (dislocation/breaks,torn ligaments etc.)?

I used to surf with this one dude that had dislocated his shoulder when he was just a kid (a few times) and he hated it when the waves were up becuase he could only surf for a short amount of time,otherwise he had a lot of pain to deal with (it was mostly paddling hard for a set wave or to get to the sandbar the set was heading to).I know that surfing is not bmx or flatland but if you did damage to your shoulders previously this might be why they are popping.

When I was 14 (and used to skateboard) I tried hitting this kink rail in front of a local movie theater that no one has ever tried (or since then as far as I know).I went up to do a boardslide and had it for just a moment then ate it hard.My left arm was the first to make contact with the concrete steps,and I broke both the bones in my left forearm...never did heal correctly)...anywho,I can "roatate" my left shoulder and it makes a cracking/popping sound like nuckles being cracked...causes pain from time to time when I do it to show people...I think I tore something in my shoulder,but gives me no problems with BMX.
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Offline mood481

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2010, 01:41:09 AM »
wow, no nothing that bad has happened to my shoulders, this is all new to me. However, my shoulders crack alot several days after the injury. One thing is that I used to workout extensively up until several months ago. I don't know if that could have weakened the ligaments in my shoulders from dips and military presses...

Offline tod miller

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2010, 02:13:01 AM »
I have a nagging shoulder problem as well, as I have dislocated in several times through the years.  My doctor told me that short of surgery, working out to build the muscle up around the joint would be the only thing I could do.  If you build muscle mass around it, it should help stabilize the shoulder.  But if have worked out a lot, you might have injured your shoulder and didn't realize it.  Could be just stretched ligaments or they could be torn.  

By the way, I use stock DK Opsis bars, and I'm right at 200lbs and 6'02"...and they feel good to me.  I don't think it's a set up problem.

Just do some light stretches before you ride.  Don't over exert your ligaments/tendons though.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2010, 02:29:39 AM by tod.borndead »
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Offline JUGGARNAUT

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2010, 02:27:47 AM »
I have a nagging shoulder problem as well, as I have dislocated in several times through the years.  My doctor told me that short of surgery, working out to build the muscle up around the joint would be the only thing I could do.  If you build muscle mass around it, it should help stabilize the shoulder.  But if have worked out a lot, you might have injured your shoulder and didn't realize it.  Could be just stretched ligaments or they could be torn. 

By the way, I use stock DK Opsis bars, and I'm right at 200lbs and 6'02"...and they feel good to me.  I don't think it's a set up problem.

Just do some light stretches before you ride.  Do over exert your ligaments/tendons though.
Stretching does help in all sports,Like MMA! ;D

Offline ruedogg8

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2010, 02:53:19 AM »
I was having similar issues with my shoulders when I started back last year. But since I started working out and ride a much lighter bike, doesn't bother me like before.
I recommend push ups and pull ups, your upper body will get stronger and will adapt to the stress of riding. Good Luck!!!

Offline mood481

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2010, 04:59:47 AM »
Cool, I'm definitely going to give the stretching a try. I hope my body adjusts, it sucks not being able to ride everyday  ;D... It is too addictive  :beer:

Offline froghammer

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2010, 05:18:43 AM »
The advice you'll get here on how to deal with your bum shoulder is probably as good as the flatlanding advice you'd get from a board for physiotherapists.  ^_^

Seriously- talk to someone who knows what they heck they're doing and you'll get an answer you can actually rely on.
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Offline Jason

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2010, 06:52:05 PM »
The advice you'll get here on how to deal with your bum shoulder is probably as good as the flatlanding advice you'd get from a board for physiotherapists.  ^_^

Seriously- talk to someone who knows what they heck they're doing and you'll get an answer you can actually rely on.

+1

remember that what you get here is only personal experiences, not doctors advice.
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Offline Ken NJ

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2010, 11:58:59 PM »
do you twist when you lift weights?  you should not be twisting joints that are under pressure.. at least that's what the trainer told me in HS, but that was a looong time ago..  i messed up my shoulder playing football in Highschool and it makes noise when i rotate my arm..  sometimes it gets fatigued but for the most part it has not affected my riding.. i try to lift to make it stronger but i hate...no i dislike, going to the gym...  get ya weight up kid!!! :beer: ;D
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Offline PMJ Indy

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2010, 07:56:22 PM »
I have severe tendonitis in my right shoulder.  The only thing that has ever helped it was rest,  which really really sucks.

Offline laughingmonkey

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2010, 06:36:06 AM »
I would say working it out with light dumbells like 5-10 lbs., light stretching, and Icing it will help.  I wouldn't lift weights hardcore because that may strain it too much.  Also push ups and maybe chin ups if your up to it.  Once you build up the muscles around your tendons, the pain should subside.  I'm no doctor, but I've suffered from shoulder problems and seen many doctors and therapists in my day. Remember, when dealing with shoulders, tendons, joints and all that:  the progress will be long and slow, but if you do it right, it will sustain.
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Offline cmc

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2010, 04:22:58 AM »

the DK Opsis bars are 7.25" rise.... you would be really surprised how much more compfortable 8" or 8.25" rise bars are. that's why almost every street/park/trails rider runs them nowadays.

also, having normal amount of sweep in your bars is good for wrist and maybe Shoulder (?) comfort. 

check out these new big bars from odyssey:
http://www.empirebmx.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9310



Offline chrisjob

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2010, 10:06:33 PM »
as mentioned above get proper medical advice.  if your shoulders dislocate you need to see a proper orthopaedic specialist, get x-rays/scans / diagnose the plane of weakness and work from there.
there are core muscles that support the shoulder joint which prevent the dislocation, the muscles on the outside of your shoulder are niluse pretty much  if the core aren't ok and ligaments are screwed.  i had 20+ left shoulder dislocations over the years from anything and everything, most of the ligament had pulled away from the socket, which needed fixing up with the rotator cuff.
get advice now before you dislocate so often it makes surgery inevitable.

only a guess but starting riding recently and your height maybe posture over the front end/slight stiffness...  can't put it in words. there's no give at all on a flat bike - is the "give" when landing tricks all in your shoulders leading to them popping?  loosen up your wrists. haha.  this is all supposition!

Offline Ben

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Re: Shoulder Problems
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2010, 04:57:15 AM »
http://www.steadman-hawkins.com/mdi/overview.asp possibly this? if so I have it both shoulders. traumatic in my right shoulder and atraumatic in my left. I can pretty much pop my left shoulder out at will and my right does it on its own which tends to be rather painful. It all happened quite rarely while riding though so this might not be your problem.