Left side; I am RHanded. Pretty sure it's the RC. Hurts neck and shoulder. Starting to affect play, especially driver. Lack of control, weakness. Pain.

Exercises? Treatment?

I had an inflamed rotator cuff (left shoulder - right handed in everything, including golf). At the time I had no idea what was wrong but I couldn't lift my arm higher than parallel to the ground without significant pain. Sleeping was difficult because gravity no longer pulled my left arm down.

An orthopedic physician diagnosed the problem. Gave me some prescription anti-inflammatory pills which I took for a month. I spent four weeks rehabilitating the shoulder. Started with light stretching, then moved on to light weights and slowly progressed. Missed 26 days of golf in the month of August (oh the agony!!)

The key is to get the inflammation down as soon as possible. The longer one allows the rotator cuff to be irritated, the worse the inflammation and the longer the rehab time.

Even today, if I sleep with my arm/shoulder flexed up near my head, the shoulder will start to bother me. My day to day situation is fine otherwise. No problem with day to day activity, playing golf, tennis, lifting weights, etc ... My left arm does seem to be permanently weaker but not too bad.

Appreciate that Brian. Sounds good and is exactly what a few others have said. I have an upcoming doc appt and will get some help there, plus have asked chiropractor/naturopathic guy I know to give me some exercise/rehab routines to add to my morning work-out. Thanks!

I had to have the surgery two years ago. I know what you are experiencing. Went through it for over a year. And lots of PT as well. Both shoulders bad. Saved one (so far) with PT. Too much to talk about here, but if you want advice, send me a PM.

Doug, thx for info in PM. V help
ful! I have adopted several of your bits into my daily routine. I constantly try to remember to push my shoulders down, my chest out. Have incorp tahini, cherries, papaya - foods with the right stuff for inflammation reduction and joint health. Epsom salt baths too for magnesium. Will see my doc this week and see what she adds to the mix. Shoulder much improved during yesterday's round of ice golf! Hope it continues so I can get back to bitching about my bum knee.

bkuehn1952 wrote:

Started with light stretching, then moved on to light weights and slowly progressed. Even today, if I sleep with my arm/shoulder flexed up near my head, the shoulder will start to bother me.

I used to sleep on my back with left arm/wrist over my eyes. This impinged the shoulder all night long! Dang. Anyway - stretching + exercise seem to be helping already and I have some initial improvement. Thx for yr comments - especially about the need to GET ON IT! Cheers.

Shoulder much improved:
- changed exercises to keep shoulder low, chest out; changed hand position for push-ups
- do lots of arm circles
- lift weights to fatigue shoulder muscles
- epsom salt baths & magnesium rich diet (helps for headaches too!)
- capsaicin and myoflex on shoulder b4 golf + 2 advil
- ice/heat in evening
- warmer weather helping?