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Another shoulder story 6-Dec-2010 At 11:10:14 AM climbingjac

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Yes I have had something that sounds very much like this and am still cursing it two and a half years later. Two rounds of nerve conduction tests, MRIs, ultrasounds and xrays have found nothing. Acupuncture was very effective in blocking pain. Having a physio wrenching the shoulder back into place and literally stickytaping it there gave the mess in the hand a bit of a chance to recuperate. As for how to fix the shoulder... who knows. The most useful help to me thus far has been trigger point massage (with a bit of dry needling included as appropriate). Either way it is a very expensive injury, so try and do everything "on referral" from your GP. Apparently then, should your out of pocket expenses exceed $1500 a year, it can be declared on your tax return and you'll get some help. Any visits to physios, masseurs etc that are not "by referral from your GP" are not eligible for this, or so I'm told.

I have found that not doing pushups as such, but just leaning on the arm of the sofa and holding still in a push-ups position helps. I guess leaning against the wall would be similar. Also helpful is using the red theraband (the weakest one). A stronger theraband would apparently be counter-productive, as it would further assist the over-developed muscles to get even stronger. The theory of using the weakest one is that all the little underdeveloped shoulder muscles will have a chance to develop.

Other than that, if you're in a job that involves sitting at a computer all day, perhaps start using the mouse with the opposite hand. I'm keeping it in the back of my mind that it might be necessary to slowly transition to a job that does not involve sitting at a computer all day and have started putting things in place to make that possible if push comes to shove. I know that the computer is causing more grief than the climbing, as I found that the shoulder/arm got WORSE during the workday even during stints when I was not climbing at all. Conclusion: computers are evil.

Good luck!!