[blondebombshell]

I've been starting to do free weights within the last two months or so. I used to have a personal trainer, so he taught me proper form. But lately, I havent been able to do much.

I usually do upper body strength training on my own M-W-F. About two weeks ago my left shoulder started making a crunching sound and I was in pain for two days after that. It went away, and I gave it a couple more days and then started my upper body training again. It is still crunching. Sometimes its not TOO bad and I can make three sets. But today, I lowered my normal rate and couldnt even get through two!

I dont believe anything is torn or broken or whatever. But what can I do to help ease it a little? Dont people use creams or icy hot or something?

I'm obviously new to working out. lol Thanks

[PhotoChick]

Go see a doctor. Crunching is not good. Crunching combined with pain is even worse. Seriously - this is the kind of thing that could wind up resulting in a rotator cuff injury and then you're talking surgery and months of rehab.

(not to be all gloom and doom about it ... but you can't be too careful with joint injuries)

.

[ddc]

Exercise should not be painful.
You don't want to keep doing the same thing and keep causing farther harm.
There are certain movements that I hear crunching in my shoulders and I know to avoid those movements. Sometimes you can tweak it just a bit and it's enough to stop the crunch. I can do frontal raises fine, but side laterals cause crunching in my shoulder joint.

Find what works for you and don't do the stuff that hurts
Also you could be using a weight that's too heavy for you.

Good luck!

[mandalinn82]

I have to agree with everyone else. Sounds like a potential rotator cuff injury. STOP lifting and see a doc, immediately. You may be able to stop any damage from getting worse with medical care (I "strained" my rotator cuff, and it was only 6 weeks of downtime...a tear is much worse, so you don't want to go that way!)