shoulder issue-- flexibility or something else?

"Mark left this mess on Thu, 8 May 2003 17:03:40 -0700 for The Way to clean up:

Quoted message said:

On my left side, I can lift my elbow high (well above my shoulder) and let my forearm hang down
with my palm facing backwards. More or less a typical freestyle recovery or finger tip drag
position. On my right side, very frustratingly, I can't do this at all. With my right forearm
hanging down and my palm back I can barely lift my right elbow at all (it stays a good 30 degrees
below horizontal). If I extend my arms straight out sideways, I can rotate my left arms about its
long axis so that my palm and tricep face up. I can only go about half as far on my right side
(unless I extend the arm behind me rather than sideways).

This problem (I don't think it's new, I've just lately been making an effort to improve my stroke
mechanics) is unpleasant and limiting. Any insights or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Question: are you right handed or left handed?

It sounds like an old injury is limiting your movement. Better have it checked by a doctor if you
are serious about improving your swimming, but if you're just looking to improve recreationally, if
it ain't broke, don't fix it, and try to work around it.

Tao te Carl

"Jesus, just because it's a newsgroup doesn't mean you have to act like adolescents." - Jon C.

"de Valois" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Question: are you right handed or left handed?

I'm right handed and breathe almost exclusively to the right as well.

Quoted message said:

It sounds like an old injury is limiting your movement. Better have it

checked

Quoted message said:

by a doctor if you are serious about improving your swimming, but if

you're just

Quoted message said:

looking to improve recreationally, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and

try to

Quoted message said:

work around it.

I'm not *aware* of any injury in that area but you could still be right. A doctor probably
is in order.

"Mark left this mess on Fri, 9 May 2003 14:37:41 -0700 for The Way to clean up:

Quoted message said:

"de Valois" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Question: are you right handed or left handed?

I'm right handed and breathe almost exclusively to the right as well.

Quoted message said:

It sounds like an old injury is limiting your movement. Better have it

checked

Quoted message said:

by a doctor if you are serious about improving your swimming, but if

you're just

Quoted message said:

looking to improve recreationally, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and

try to

Quoted message said:

work around it.

I'm not *aware* of any injury in that area but you could still be right. A doctor probably is
in order.

Another possibility that leaps to mind is a repetitive use injury.

Tao te Carl

"Jesus, just because it's a newsgroup doesn't mean you have to act like adolescents." - Jon C.