Elbows and shoulders hurt
I’m a 68-year-old man. I don’t feel I’m lifting too much weight, but after workouts the left side of my left elbow hurts and both shoulders hurt. Weights range in poundage from 30 pounds to 40 pounds. I do 15-10-5 reps. Should I back these off or lower my weights?
Oh, boy. The stinkers. Elbows and shoulders and past 25; to back off or not back off.
I don’t know, and I say this with a whiny sigh. The origins of injury and pain are often varied and uncertain and the ultimate resolutions are no less a mystery. I’m going to the gym in an hour and face similar circumstances and wonder which way I’ll go to outwit my adversary.
Warming up is important. I’ll have my right elbow wrap in action, on and off as needed. You might consider a similar assistance, a smaller version of a knee wrap, to handle the load, protect the joint, reduce the pain and enable more exertion — sets and reps or weight handled.
The shoulder limitation demands more creativity. The range of exercises from presses to lateral raises need to be investigated and modified and improvised. The answer is found by trial and (near) error. Try both avenues — alter the reps or alter the weight — for a week and make assessments during and after (days following) the workout.
Focus, feel, find, fix, finished… fun. That’s what I’d do.
There are always your over-the-counter anti-inflammation meds: Tylenol, Advil, Aleve.
Carry on the good fight… we press on… foreword march… never quit… never…
Godspeed….DD
Dave Draper - Dave Draper Posted on November 11th, 2008 in Injuries and illness, Joint Pain, Shoulder Issues by Dave Draper