On the 4th I was golfing and on a swing where I totally ignored ignored form I overextended my shoulder somehow. It doesn't hurt that much but yesterday when I went swimming it started hurting after a 20 laps (go figure, all the motion is in the shoulder). After that I played racquetball and was fine. I put ice on it last night but I am not sure how long I should lay off of it. How long do minor injuries like this take to heal? I really want to get back into the gym but I dont want to seriously hurt it and then have to stay out longer.


Andrew

 

hmmmm, shoulders are touchy. The problem with going back to the gym is that you use your shoulders in just about every upper body lift in some way.

If it's just inflamation in the tendons, I'd say it should only take 2-3 days of rest, provided you haven't had shoulder problems in the past. And you should be able to lift as long as it doesn't cause more pain. If you have had problems in the past, then you should probably be careful that it doesn't turn into tendonitis, and rest it until you're sure it won't cause pain during exercise.

If it's a muscle strain or pull, then it could be up to a week. But if you were able to go 20 laps in a pool before it started hurting, I'm guessing it's inflamation.

 

Two weeks.

 

agreed.... id say 1-2 weeks, just to be sure....you definitely dont want to cause some chronic problems with your shoulders in the future.