Getting back in to the water

Paddling and surfing has been therapy itself for my shoulder and the cure. It's resistance with no-impact during the paddle and on a variety of planes, therefore strengthening all of the muscles and connective tissues around the joint. Make sure you're cleared to even be paddling and in the water as there's certainly a time that's too early even for that.

Things to avoid: 1) ballistic paddling on your last few scratches into the wave - let the wave go if you need a frenzy to get in it; 2) getting turned or thrown in odd ways while duck diving - if the wave is heavy enough and you don't get deep enough the board can be ripped from your hands beyond your will and this can easily stress and damage the shoulder; 3) any type of fall - you're more likely to re-injure the shoulder as your arms and body are flailing rather than falling on a rock, sand bottom or wave surface on your shoulder. 4) if you're skilled to the point where you're throwing turns and hacks at full speed, the ranges of motion on certain maneuvers can be too explosive and intense for the joint as it's healing; 5) getting in and out of a properly fitting suit - if it fits right then it's pretty tight and this could be the easiest way to hurt yourself believe it or not.

Surfing has been the answer for my shoulder. Doesn't mean that at several different times I haven't almost re-injured it from one of the above. Staying above the realm of jeopardy in smaller to moderate clean surf to start isn't a bad idea. Always be heavily hydrated as well. The times I've injured my shoulder were instances where my body was low on fluids and therefore the joint and tissues weren't hydrated either.

 

I've separated / dislocated both shoulders, usually wait a couple weeks then go back out there, surfing keeps them strong and the more I do it the better they seem to feel, but occasionally they quit on me. Using proper technique while paddling helps too, i'd say just go out in some small stuff to get your paddling power and confidence back, then start testing out some larger waves after you do that without further injury.

 

Everything emass said you should think about when you get out there.

Don't push it too quickly even when you feel really good. Re injuring yourself is the worst.

When you eat it, tuck your arms in against your body.

The biggest thing is proper paddling technique. Most of surfing is paddling and that's really how you can do long term damage. This is coming from someone with multiple dislocations of each shoulder. When they can 3d print joints straight into your body I'll be golden, but until then I try to paddle the right way to preserve me joints.

Watch how swimmers swim. The elbow is high and your finger tips just graze the water. Keep everything moving forward as close to the body as possible. Don't flail way out wide. And roll just a bit on the board. Not so hard that you roll off or affect the straight path of your paddling, but just a bit.

This also applies on the pull. Pull down, in and back. Not to the side. You'll get more power.

 

Another idea: I was getting real bad shoulder inflammation after started surfing at 60, which was bad not only for surfing but my other hobby of daily lap swimming. I started to take two tablets of advil 45 minutes before surfing. What a difference. Rarely have shoulder issues now. It no longer hurts during or after surfing .

I copied the idea off the tennis pro John McEnroe who did it before his big tournaments.

 

As long as you don't mind sacrificing your liver, Betty.

Bail on the Advil. Nasty stuff. Try Aleve. Do some research, I think you'll chuck the Advil pretty quickly.

 

Once or twice a week shouldn't do harm. I only use it pre surfing, not for the lapmswimming....But I hear you. I think advil is hard on kidneys, Tylenol is hard on liver. No?

 

Ibuprofen = nice now

Ibuprofen = very, very bad later

 

+1 on Aleve, works so much better and lasts longer

 

Yes, Naproxen for sure. They're both anti-inflammatory and go with the one that has far less sides (that are known).

 

Okay guys, I did some research and looks like you have a good point. Will try Aleve next weekend. So, you get surfing stoke here, life advice, medical advice, next we will be exchanging recipes .

 

No pound cake recipes here sistah!

Yeah, there's a multitude of counsel available on SI, however, I'd steer clear of the "life advice" column at this break. Pop a few Aleve and rock on at Pierce.

 

OneLove, i feel for you...and can relate. I got greedy one day back in November and went for a late take-off and got buckled. It happened so fast I wasn't entirely sure what happened, but ever since my shoulder has been bothering me, to the point where I went to do some pushups the other day and collapsed after 1 in excruciating shoulder pain.

I went to a sports orthopedic this morning and he said it looked like i have a torn labrum, the muscle that connects your shoulder to you bicep...and that if I elected to have surgery it would take 16 weeks recovery...that's out of the question for me...I'd be homeless, seeing as I'm in the construction field. He gave me a cortisone shot and within minutes had me doing pushups...pain free...although i don't think the steroid kicks in for another day or two.

It sucks I don't have the time to get it fixed properly, but I am amped at the thought that this sh*t isn't going to keep my a$$ out of the water.

Good luck with it. And i just want to send a shout-out to the cat on here who told me about his experience and how he got a cortisone shot...can't remember your handle right now, but thanks.

 

Hang in there Koki.

 

I'm all good, my brother....thanks. feel like a new man....can't wait to get out there and test out these roids...lol

 

I'm 58 and achin' much of the time - mostly neck, sometimes lower back - from surfing. But may need a firmer mattress, because I feel it more when getting up in the morning.
Due to surfing, I don't go to the gym much anymore; but when I do (I drink Dos Equis...), I get sore from that more now. Different sort of exercises, using different muscles than surfing, I guess.
Generally it's a good kind of ache. Some of it I think it's from getting tossed around. Have a lack of flexibility. Even as a teenager I had a tough time touching my toes. Yoga has helped some, but I'm not consistent enough with it.

 

Thanks for the loud laugh bro. Great way to start the day. Btw, get in some hot/power yoga for the flex!

KB, did you get an MRI yet on that labral tear? If it's not total then going without surgery may be ok long term.

 

+1 I tore mine but never got surgery, I haven't had an issues with it in a long time, might fatigue faster or ache from time to time but mostly doing just fine now.

 

No MRI, but they did take X-rays....he said most likely it was a small tear.

I'm hoping I have a similar situation to DPSUP.