Returning from Injury

Hey guys,
Some background info . . . . A few weeks ago, I hurt my shoulder benching during my HSS-100 chest session. It was just a shoulder pull. The next day it hurt a little bit. Beginning the day after, my shoulder had no signs of pain thanks to some advil and proper recovery. Throughout all this, I always had full range of motion in my shoulder even though it felt uncomfortable in some awkward positions. On arm day, I eliminated exercises that involve the shoulder (close-grip, BB curl) and did some matenience work. I didn’t do any exercises involving shoulder work until the week after the mini injury when I benched again. No signs of pain so I did just light dumbbell work to try to maintain my chest strength which didn’t hurt my shoulder or anything but obviously it wasn’t my normally painful and enjoyable routine.

My chest workout this week will mark the day 2 weeks ago when I hurt myself. No medications anymore and shoulder has 0 signs of pain. But, I am not sure whether to go back to my normal HSS-100 chest routine or what to do in order to keep my chest strength up in terms of slowly returning to my original plan. Any thoughts?

bump . . . .

Iron Dude,
Try this test on yourself (I’m a physical therapist that specializes in treating shoulder injuries). Place the hand of the involved arm on the opposite shoulder with the elbow straight out in front of you. Keeping your hand on the opposite shoulder, lift the elbow up as high as you can. Does it hurt? If yes, be careful lifting. If not, give it a try. Its the best test you can do on yourself without consulting a specialist. Good luck.

Mike

[quote]mikandrea wrote:
Iron Dude,
Try this test on yourself (I’m a physical therapist that specializes in treating shoulder injuries). Place the hand of the involved arm on the opposite shoulder with the elbow straight out in front of you. Keeping your hand on the opposite shoulder, lift the elbow up as high as you can. Does it hurt? If yes, be careful lifting. If not, give it a try. Its the best test you can do on yourself without consulting a specialist. Good luck.

Mike
[/quote]

Cool test, thanks! I did it and it hurts no more than my right arm does which is just the natural feeling of being stretched. So, maybe I can try my HSS-100 workout and if I feel anything during the workout then slow down?

Any other thoughts?