Shoulder pain

Discussion in 'Injuries' started by Shiverz, Dec 26, 2019.

  1. Shiverz

    Shiverz Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2019
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Slovenia
    Hello,

    A bit history: i am playing badminton second year, twice a week now. At the end of first year i started to feel shoulder problems. I gave it a rest for a month and half, which was a good decision since shoulder stoped hurting. Second month into the season 2 pain came back. Im assuming its rotators cuff injury. When i lift my elbow sideways i can feel the pain. Pain goes away after 3-4 days of not playing, but comes back right after training.

    I think this is happening because my technique is not always 100% and im using astrox 77 4u, strung at 29 Ibs, with medium flex shaft. I think my arm is not strong enough to wield this racket.

    So I am wondering, if i change racket to headlight version, with lower tension, will this cause less strain on my shoulder? If so, does any1 has any recommendation? I also have doctors appointment to check it out.

    Thank you in advance.
     
  2. LiteBulb

    LiteBulb Regular Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2017
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    74
    Location:
    Nowhere
    Do you tend to force your swing or gripping hard?
     
  3. Shiverz

    Shiverz Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2019
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Slovenia
    Im not sure what you are asking me. Ye id say i kinda want to use as much force as i can. About gripping id say i grip harder at contact point.
     
  4. MarketWizard

    MarketWizard Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2019
    Messages:
    137
    Likes Received:
    81
    Location:
    Midwest, USA
    I pretty much have a very similar problem. I played badminton for 2 years without any problems, and then took a 6 year hiatus, and recently started playing again. I lost my previous racket so I bought another one with factory strings with extremely low tension which was a headlight racket.

    Because of this, I was over compensating my weak smashes with more force which caused my shoulder problem. I think a heavier racket actually helps because, if you imagine throwing a styrofoam ball versus a baseball, you'd have to throw much harder with the styrofoam. The lack of weight can cause too little resistance which ends up throwing out your shoulder. Also since you daid you string it at 29, that seems like what extremely advanced players would string it at. I can see how it might hurt. Maybe switch to bg66F strings at least?

    You might need to rest it for a while and visit a chiro or physio. Buy one of those stretch bands (they're really cheap) and do some light resistance exercises. It helps quite a bit. Also do door stretches too, get massages, correct your form, and get a racket that feels good when you swing.

    And do rest a fair amount. I took my physiotherapist's advice and started playing when he said I was good to go and I was clearly not. I'm still suffering and it's delayed my injury and made it worse.
     
  5. Shiverz

    Shiverz Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2019
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Slovenia
    Thank you for reply.

    Looks like i will have to test out rackets. Maybe something in the middle will work out. At head heavy racket i can feel the strain when the head of the racket fallows thru at smash and as you stated head light is also not good.
     
  6. Jay Ng

    Jay Ng Regular Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2018
    Messages:
    48
    Likes Received:
    29
    Location:
    Portree
    Shoulder pain can also be caused by poor posture. Rolling shoulders forward isn’t going to do the nerves in your shoulders any favours.

    I’m in exactly the same position as you, playing for about 2 yrs after 25+ years hiatus.

    I find stretching and massaging the muscles in the upper back and lower neck muscles make the biggest difference. I couldn’t raise my elbow higher than my shoulder at one point but a trip to a specialist gave instant relief kit by treating that area with deep tissue massage.

    Try exercises that engage your lower traps, this in turn will help you pulling your shoulders back opening up the shoulders more.

    Do doorway stretches to help relax the upper back muscles after playing.
     
  7. Borkya

    Borkya Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2016
    Messages:
    492
    Likes Received:
    487
    Occupation:
    teacher
    Location:
    Xiamen, China
    You can find vidoes online to test yourself to see if it is a shoulder impingement or a rotator cuff problem. It's important to know since they both have different methods of rehablitation.

    I'm dealing with a rotator cuff problem, and I would guess that yours is probably due to a technique problem. Experiment with a racket, but really I would guess that you are moving your body improperly and that is the cause. A too heavy racket (or strung too high) would likely affect your elbow before it would affect your shoulder. So make sure you have proper technique.

    But also pay attention to life outside of badminton! Sleeping caused my rotator cuff to hurt, and it's very common for people over 40 to have a rotator cuff injury because they reach back to the backseat to grab a shopping bag or something. So even if sleeping or movement is not the original cause, once it is hurt a little, many things can keep it form healing properly. So make sure to not sleep in it, or lean on it during the day. Also be careful when reaching for things next to you or behind you. I've been doing rehabilitation exercises I found on the web and mine is feeling much, much better. So good luck!
     
  8. Shiverz

    Shiverz Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2019
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Slovenia
    Thank you for replying. According to pain spot its the inner shoulder muscle. Im doing stretching exercises and its already better. As the pain will go away i ll start some weight training and work on technique. I think i don’t open my chest fully and rotate my body when smashing.
     

Share This Page