Shoulder Problems

[Lance Remus]

I have been having, for lack of a better term, a shoulder that feels loose in its socket lately. It doesn't really hurt (yet) but I'm sure all the noise it makes and the cracking I feel when I do arm circles is not indicative of anything good to come. I have been doing cuban rotations and range of motion (arm circles with a 5lb plate) exercises before I do any pressing workouts. Today it really popped when I did the arm circles. Kinda scared me. I should add that I recently started doing real light hang snatches (alt between db and bb) to warm up and strengthen the joints. My pressing is at an all time high for me and I only want to continue the trend. I don't need an injury to slow me up.

Any ideas on what the problem may be and/or what I can do to make my shoulders feel tighter again?

[Garrick Daft]

If it's loose and cracklin' you should probably go see a doc. Maybe take some time off and let it heal. You'll come back stonger as a result. My shoulder was twingin' the other day and I just took some time off and let it heal. Now it's better then ever. Yours sounds a little more scary, .... see a doc.

[Stephen Calhoun]

20 years ago I had a similar problem. eccept with agreat deal of sharp pain, ecspecially when lifting/ pressing. so I went to an othepedic dr. after a butt load of money he said my rotator cups are screwed up, i had crushed them playing indoor football and they would always hurt. now Atleast I understand why I have the constant pain in mine. He told me the best thing I could do was to keep the muscles strong around the area to support the damaged area. Shoulders are tricky, so go see a Dr. if you can. At least you my know what is wrong.

[Lance Remus]

Ok, maybe I made it sound a bit more serious than it really is. I'm pretty sure it's not screwed up too bad because like I said my overhead work has never been better. I have never experienced any pain either. I realize that joint irritations come with the territory in this sport. Accordingly, I'm not trying to jump the gun and say I have some serious problem. The cracking and weird feelings just have me concerned. One thing I do know from articles and discussions in the past that the rotators are pretty much the most vulnerable joints in the body and the muscles surrounding them need to be well balanced to hold them together and ensure injury free training. I want to prevent problems through my training methods. I hoped someone who has had similar experiences would read this and be able to suggest something to help.

Thanks for the input

[Corey DuCharme]

The snap crackle and pop is not a renegade band of cereal elves running wild in your shoulder. It's probably crepitus. (Fancy way doctors say, "creaking noise") Probably caused by the tendons moving over the joint. It could be some scar tissue or mild arthritis too. It's no big deal. Mine is audible from quite a distance.

The loose sensation you are feeling could be from stretching and straining the shoulder while snatching. Keep using the light weights until your shoulders adapt and your form is good.

Oh yeah, the rotator stuff is good too. Don't overdo it though, let them heal. Isolating those angry SITS muscles along with your usual work can overtrain them in a hurry.