My shoulder "clicks" when I raise my arm laterally

[enwar3]

So after I started doing lateral raises I noticed my left shoulder now "clicks" into place when I raise my arm. And I don't think this is how it's supposed to be. Should I do anything to address this issue? I've added some rotator cuff stuff to my workouts over the last week but it hasn't really had an impact. Should I just not do lateral raises (they're kind of an important exercise for shoulders, though).

 

[DomS]

Both mine have done that for as long as I've lived. Haven't noticed a problem.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: enwar3
So after I started doing lateral raises I noticed my left shoulder now "clicks" into place when I raise my arm. And I don't think this is how it's supposed to be. Should I do anything to address this issue? I've added some rotator cuff stuff to my workouts over the last week but it hasn't really had an impact. Should I just not do lateral raises (they're kind of an important exercise for shoulders, though).

Go to the orthopedist to see what they think. It could be shoulder impingement or something of the like. Also, you're not going to strengthen your rotator cuff in one week. It takes at least a month to start seeing results for muscles so small (there's a neurological development stage and a muscular development stage after). Continue to do that and consult with the orthopedist soon. Don't continue to ignore it.

 

[TheSeaward]

I'm not physical therapist, but sounds like shoulder impingement. Make sure when you are doing front raises with dumbbells you point your thumbs upwards (instead of the back of the hand upwards). Take it easy on the arms extended exercises for a while until it feels better and see a physical therapist if you have the means.

 

[presidentender]

Originally posted by: TheSeaward
Make sure when you are doing front raises with dumbbells you point your thumbs upwards (instead of the back of the hand upwards).

Why? I disagree, and googling for dumbbell lateral raises is mute (although all the demos have the back of the hand up). What's your reasoning here?

 

[enwar3]

Well it doesn't exactly hurt, but it definitely clicks. Actually, come to think of it it did hurt right when it started. It only happens on one shoulder though....

I'm asking because I've heard of rotator cuff injuries putting people out of the gym for months (!!!!). Definitely want to avoid that.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: presidentender

Originally posted by: TheSeaward
Make sure when you are doing front raises with dumbbells you point your thumbs upwards (instead of the back of the hand upwards).

Why? I disagree, and googling for dumbbell lateral raises is mute (although all the demos have the back of the hand up). What's your reasoning here?

It's a direct exercise for the rotator cuff. It is often used in physical therapy clinics as a basic exercise to start strengthening. It's not a dumbbell lateral raise. It is more of a diagonal one, in between raising it forward in front of you and laterally to your sides. Also, you have to make sure not to raise your shoulders past 90 degrees.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: enwar3
Well it doesn't exactly hurt, but it definitely clicks. Actually, come to think of it it did hurt right when it started. It only happens on one shoulder though....

I'm asking because I've heard of rotator cuff injuries putting people out of the gym for months (!!!!). Definitely want to avoid that.

Clicks can be indicative of injuries. You need to get it checked out before that happens. I didn't and I've been out for some months now.

 

[skace]

My left shoulder clicks if my form fucks up or I try to lift more weight than I can handle. I'm not saying that's your case or that my shoulder is even working properly, but that is my experience.

 

[eddiebravo]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: presidentender

Originally posted by: TheSeaward
Make sure when you are doing front raises with dumbbells you point your thumbs upwards (instead of the back of the hand upwards).

Why? I disagree, and googling for dumbbell lateral raises is mute (although all the demos have the back of the hand up). What's your reasoning here?

It's a direct exercise for the rotator cuff. It is often used in physical therapy clinics as a basic exercise to start strengthening. It's not a dumbbell lateral raise. It is more of a diagonal one, in between raising it forward in front of you and laterally to your sides. Also, you have to make sure not to raise your shoulders past 90 degrees.

actually, the thumb should be facing down, like you are pouring out a glass of water. you then raise your arms sort of at at 45 degree angle(towards 10 oclock and 2 oclock).

 

[presidentender]

Originally posted by: eddiebravo

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: presidentender

Originally posted by: TheSeaward
Make sure when you are doing front raises with dumbbells you point your thumbs upwards (instead of the back of the hand upwards).

Why? I disagree, and googling for dumbbell lateral raises is mute (although all the demos have the back of the hand up). What's your reasoning here?

It's a direct exercise for the rotator cuff. It is often used in physical therapy clinics as a basic exercise to start strengthening. It's not a dumbbell lateral raise. It is more of a diagonal one, in between raising it forward in front of you and laterally to your sides. Also, you have to make sure not to raise your shoulders past 90 degrees.

actually, the thumb should be facing down, like you are pouring out a glass of water. you then raise your arms sort of at at 45 degree angle(towards 10 oclock and 2 oclock).

I think these guys mean for PT-specific stuff, not in general.

 

[eddiebravo]

Originally posted by: presidentender

Originally posted by: eddiebravo

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: presidentender

Originally posted by: TheSeaward
Make sure when you are doing front raises with dumbbells you point your thumbs upwards (instead of the back of the hand upwards).

Why? I disagree, and googling for dumbbell lateral raises is mute (although all the demos have the back of the hand up). What's your reasoning here?

It's a direct exercise for the rotator cuff. It is often used in physical therapy clinics as a basic exercise to start strengthening. It's not a dumbbell lateral raise. It is more of a diagonal one, in between raising it forward in front of you and laterally to your sides. Also, you have to make sure not to raise your shoulders past 90 degrees.

actually, the thumb should be facing down, like you are pouring out a glass of water. you then raise your arms sort of at at 45 degree angle(towards 10 oclock and 2 oclock).

I think these guys mean for PT-specific stuff, not in general.

i am talking about PT specific stuff as well. the proper way to do that rehab/prehab exercise is for your thumbs to face down. if you dont believe me just do a search for rotator cuff exercises and i guarantee the exercise i am describing will be listed 9 times out of 10, and that you will NEVER see a recommendation to point your thumbs upward.

i just did the search myself:

http://www.premiererehab.org/f...tatorCuffExercises.pdf
http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/980215a.html
http://familydoctor.org/online...ical/injuries/265.html
http://www.thetrainingstationi...or-cuff-exercises.html
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~wwhiteh...jects/rotatorcuff.html
http://physicaltherapy.about.c...ises/p/RCexercises.htm

 

[Atty]

Mine do in pretty much any direction, never had a problem, and out of the group of guys at my gym that I'm friends, with I've got the stronger shoulders with the clicking, so I don't think it's hindered my growth at all.

 

[presidentender]

Originally posted by: eddiebravo

Originally posted by: presidentender
I think these guys mean for PT-specific stuff, not in general.

i am talking about PT specific stuff as well. the proper way to do that rehab/prehab exercise is for your thumbs to face down. if you dont believe me just do a search for rotator cuff exercises and i guarantee the exercise i am describing will be listed 9 times out of 10, and that you will NEVER see a recommendation to point your thumbs upward.

i just did the search myself:

http://www.premiererehab.org/f...tatorCuffExercises.pdf
http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/980215a.html
http://familydoctor.org/online...ical/injuries/265.html
http://www.thetrainingstationi...or-cuff-exercises.html
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~wwhiteh...jects/rotatorcuff.html
http://physicaltherapy.about.c...ises/p/RCexercises.htm

I do mine with thumbs down, and make the "tea pouring" motion at the peak (a la Frank Zane). But I think the previous posters have some experience with PT, which colors their responses. In general, you're absolutely right; perhaps you're even right about PT, and I just don't know what's going on.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: eddiebravo

Originally posted by: presidentender

Originally posted by: eddiebravo

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: presidentender

Originally posted by: TheSeaward
Make sure when you are doing front raises with dumbbells you point your thumbs upwards (instead of the back of the hand upwards).

Why? I disagree, and googling for dumbbell lateral raises is mute (although all the demos have the back of the hand up). What's your reasoning here?

It's a direct exercise for the rotator cuff. It is often used in physical therapy clinics as a basic exercise to start strengthening. It's not a dumbbell lateral raise. It is more of a diagonal one, in between raising it forward in front of you and laterally to your sides. Also, you have to make sure not to raise your shoulders past 90 degrees.

actually, the thumb should be facing down, like you are pouring out a glass of water. you then raise your arms sort of at at 45 degree angle(towards 10 oclock and 2 oclock).

I think these guys mean for PT-specific stuff, not in general.

i am talking about PT specific stuff as well. the proper way to do that rehab/prehab exercise is for your thumbs to face down. if you dont believe me just do a search for rotator cuff exercises and i guarantee the exercise i am describing will be listed 9 times out of 10, and that you will NEVER see a recommendation to point your thumbs upward.

i just did the search myself:

http://www.premiererehab.org/f...tatorCuffExercises.pdf
http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/980215a.html
http://familydoctor.org/online...ical/injuries/265.html
http://www.thetrainingstationi...or-cuff-exercises.html
http://frank.mtsu.edu/~wwhiteh...jects/rotatorcuff.html
http://physicaltherapy.about.c...ises/p/RCexercises.htm

Yeah, I agree. I don't know if I misread that or just forgot to mention. Thumbs are always down for these exercises. Unsure as to where I got lost in saying that.

 

[Blieb]

The biggest thing is ...

Is it causing discomfort or pain?

My shoulders have clicked in the past when doing certain exercises. If I slightly adjusted my form, often times it would go away, so that is the form I would stick with (unless grossly mis-guided).