Shoulder pain - rotator cuff

[Londonlefty]

Hi Folks
I’ve been playing much more guitar in lockdown as I’ve been working from home for nearly 11 months, probably at least an hour a day. But the last 6 months I been getting pains in my right shoulder with a permanent dull ache.
At first I thought I had slept on my arm, but now I’m convinced it’s guitar as I feel it when playing. It’s my right shoulder as I’m a lefty.
Would welcome advice on exercise and how to reduce the pain as it’s getting worse.
Thanks in advance.

[mikliv]

I had pretty severe shoulder pain about 18 months ago which caused me to stop playing for over 6 months. It's worth getting it checked by a doctor of physiotherapist if possible. They will give you some exercises to work on. A lot of these problems arise from being in the same position for some time (that could be through work or playing guitar). It's best to keep altering position / restricting activities to short periods of time. You can pick up some exercises from the internet as it's important to keep moving to avoid the risk of frozen shoulder. Sorry, this will be of limited help but hopefully it should improve gradually. Prevention then is key.

[Cincy2]

+1 on getting a medical evaluation including X-rays and possibly an MRI. I put this off for years and by the time I did seek professional help, the bones spurs, tears and cartilage issues were severe. I'm working up the courage now to finally get the necessary surgery. Don't wait like I did. Things only get worse.

Cincy

[EZYPIKINS]

Get your Dr. to prescribe a new different shaped guitar. Yeah yeah, that'll work.

[The Bard Rocks]

On this theme, you might first try a more classical position, something that holds the head of the guitar higher. Also, try 14 and 12 fretters and see if one is more comfortable than the other. If it was the other shoulder, we might have more advice.

[Texsunburst59]

I had rotator cuff issues in my right sholder about 1 1/2 yrs ago.

I decided to start doing push ups, dumbbell curls, and behind the head dumbell lifts.

I'm up to 4 sets of 65+/- pushups, 4 sets of curls 35 per set 15lb dumbells

4 sets of behind the head lift with dumbells 15lbs 35 per set.

My rotator cuff issues are all gone and I not pain or popping in my right sholder at all any more.

By the way I'm 61 yrs old, so being old isn't an excuse to do the work to get right is the RC issue.

[Methos1979]

I was beginning to suffer some pain in both shoulders and was worried I'd need surgery again (left shoulder is rebuilt) but surgeon said to try the stretches and I was very surprised at just how fast the pain went away. I posted a copy of the exercises in a previous post. I'll see if I can find them.

Found it! See link below. I do exercises 2, 3 & 4 as a warmup or when I start to feel the pain creep back in. Great stretches. But as always, you should consult a doctor for advice.

Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program

[musicman1951]

First the obvious answer: get thee to a doctor and find out if PT can help, or if you need surgery.

Second: you're right shoulder? I would suggest a different playing position. Are you sitting or standing. If you're sitting, try standing. Try elevating your right foot (on anything comfortable - a pile of books, wood, etc.) and playing in the classical position with the guitar on your right leg.

Watch a couple of classical guitarists on Youtube and check yourself in a mirror (or a cell phone picture) to make sure you don't have a chicken wing (elbow flying out).

Honestly, I've never considered a problem with the fingering shoulder, which is worth nothing and not at all helpful, but I would definitely try and find out if my playing position was unique (in an unfortunate way). Neck too low, elbow in a strange position. If you can, get someone to take a video of you playing.

[mawmow]

I understand it is the shoulder of your fretting hand.
The problem is your arm is kept extended laterally for long periods.

You should have frequent pauses, change your postion (guitar on left thigh)
and get a smaller guitar, even twelve fret : anything that would not make you
extend your arm too far from your body.

[eshrager]

As other have said, go see a doctor preferably one who specializes in shoulders.

I have been through five surgeries of various types on both shoulders - the last one was a full RC and bicep tear on my left (fretting) arm. I spent some time with the surgeon showing him what positions position I use and movements I make while playing guitar. He made some suggestions to me and passed along some very specific instructions to the PT people to help me in recovery.

The surgery turned out great, especially as far as guitar playing is concerned. The PT was very useful and help minimize recovery time and showed me what shoulder geometry to use to minimize pain/discomfort/future issues.

[J Patrick]

....I have been dealing with shoulder issues for years...neither of my shoulders have any cartilage left in them....I was scheduled for my first shoulder replacement last November when I learned my lower back was in even worse shape so now I’m waiting for spinal fusion surgery for 4 vertebrae in my lower lumbar...but first I have to have some follow up cryo surgery on some pesky prostate cancer...but I digress....

..the shoulders...in lieu of shoulder replacement I have been getting cortisone injections a couple of times a year....if you have any serious issues they can really help to keep you up and running....you will need to see an orthopedic specialist and have your shoulder xrayed first....even if you will need shoulder surgery an injection will offer some pretty instant relief...

[rmp]

I had shoulder issues about 4 years ago.. It was nasty,

I had a frozen shoulder that stemmed from a bit of an injury moving something heavy, I went PT for about 6 weeks, and it's been 100% since.

..bottom line..
Go see a Dr.

[Earl49]

To the OP, since you did not traumatically injure your shoulder, the odds are very good that diligent exercises and stretching will fix your problem. It could be worse.....

Originally Posted by Methos1979

I.....I posted a copy of the exercises in a previous post. I'll see if I can find them....Found it! See link below. I do exercises 2, 3 & 4 as a warmup or when I start to feel the pain creep back in. Great stretches. But as always, you should consult a doctor for advice.

Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program

Thanks for posting that again, Methos. I must have missed it the first time, but have saved it now. Sunday JAN 31 marked the two year anniversary of a nasty seizure-induced fall that really tore up my shoulder and many surrounding rib muscles. The surgery was March 21. Three of the four major muscles that make up the rotator cuff complex were torn completely from the bone. The surgeon did a good job of reassembling me, and even invented a new category for my injury. Normally they are graded as minor, moderate, or major tears. Mine was officially labeled "extreme". The only way it could have been worse is if bones were actually broken.

There are still some lingering issues after two years and significant high quality PT, plus daily home exercise. If I have to reach above my head with the elbow going above my ear, I am now effectively left handed. The shoulder can be forced higher, but it is pretty uncomfortable and stiff. There is very little shoulder strength still - I cannot use a tool like a power drill above my head with my dominant right hand. I can still play guitar without pain [yay] but I will never throw a ball again.

[6L6]

I'm 75 and went through the same thing three years ago. An MRI showed I had a badly torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder.

Exercises didn't work and I eventually had surgery to fix the problem.

After the surgery I had to wear a sling 24/7 for a couple of weeks. That wasn't much fun. That was followed by 5 months of physical therapy and then a green light to resume my life as normal.

I am SO GLAD I had the surgery! All the ordeal was more than worth it.

See a doc, get an MRI done, and do the surgery if it's recommended.

BTW, if you do have a torn rotator cuff, no exercises will fix it and pain will only get worse over time. Good luck.

[JAMKC]

Originally Posted by Methos1979

I was beginning to suffer some pain in both shoulders and was worried I'd need surgery again (left shoulder is rebuilt) but surgeon said to try the stretches and I was very surprised at just how fast the pain went away. I posted a copy of the exercises in a previous post. I'll see if I can find them.

Found it! See link below. I do exercises 2, 3 & 4 as a warmup or when I start to feel the pain creep back in. Great stretches. But as always, you should consult a doctor for advice.

Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program

Thanks for this! I've got right shoulder pain and have wanted a program to see if stretching will alleviate it.
Jeff