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Discussion: running - shoulder cramps
Subject: running - shoulder cramps By: Jon A. Written on: 2006-06-17 23:04:41 Message: recently when I have been running, I get a cramp in my shoulder about 10 minutes into the run, can someone please explain to me why this is happening and what I can do to fix the problem. I have only been training for almost 3 weeks now so maybe that has something to do with it, but honestly I don't know. thanks
Subject: RE: running - shoulder cramps By: Lawrence D. Written on: 2006-06-17 23:57:04 Message: Jon, I get the cramp I think you're talking about on long runs every once in awhile. What I do is drop my arms down to my sides and run like that until the pain subsides. This has worked for me in the past. I heard a podcast about this before, too, awhile ago, and it is usually caused from unconsciously hunching your shoulders while you're running. Whether it's caused from muscle fatigue or some kind of compression on a tendon, they didn't say, but I do remember the 'cast saying to try to run relaxed. I specifically remember the analogy of thinking of running with a potato chip between your thumb and index finger without crushing it. Just trying to run relaxed has helped me. Hope this helps.
Subject: RE: running - shoulder cramps By: John H. Written on: 2006-06-18 13:23:23 Message: In an article I read that some people tense their upper body when they run causing unnecessary expendature of energy. Some of the things were clenched fists and high shoulders. You'll need to focus on relaxing your upper body during your runs. At times during my runs I just let my arms and hands drop and just flop along to relax them and get some circulation. You might also try to do some neck and shoulder stretches and loosen them up prior to your runs and bike.
Subject: RE: running - shoulder cramps By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-18 16:49:39 Message: Jon, I occassionally get a wierd shoulder pain on either side after my first mile or so. When I back off or even walk a little and start again it is usually gone, leading me to believe that I just needed to warm up a little easier, relax a bit and then start really running. Is that simillar to your experiences? Ron
Subject: RE: running - shoulder cramps By: Jamojman . Written on: 2006-06-18 20:02:48 Message: For years I have had this problem and it's only been since I started runin gin March I am over coming it. The shoulder cramp/stich you experience is genearally as the guys above had said. It can also stem from the side and back of your neck. The nerves run down to your shoulder and through your biceps muscles so when you are swinging your arms you are stretching the nerves and these send all sorts of weird signals to the shoulder area. There are a heap of gentle neck stretches and head rolls and shoulder stretches you can do so I would spend 10 minutes just gently stretching this area. It could also be due to tightness in your back. Unless you have had a major impact to your shoulder I doubt it would be rotator cuff related but I am not a Dr. I hope this helps.
Subject: RE: running - shoulder cramps By: Chuck H. Written on: 2006-06-19 12:40:36 Message: Hey Jon, PUSHUPS! I don't know if you are doing any type of shoulder stretching or warmup before runs but i would suggest the simplest and most effective way to get shoulders warmed up and strenghted. I had the same problems as you mentioend and it has all but gone away since implimenting 50-100 pushups before a run. Hope it helps. Chuck
Subject: RE: running - shoulder cramps By: Sarah B. Written on: 2006-06-20 19:11:43 Message: Jon- By any chance are you asthmatic?
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