Pain in right arm from overhead press

[bigshot]

I've started the 5x5 stronglift program and on third week. Everything has been going fine other than the overhead press.

After I bring the bar up and lock my elbows and in the process of bringing the bar down back to my clavicle, I get this "snap" or sharp pain in my right arm, roughly in the middle of my forearm. It feels like a tendon or muscle is cracking under my skin, and there is quite a bit of pain. I feel like a tendon or something is going to burst...has anyone experienced this? I should point out I'm not doing much weight, roughly 65lbs. I also tried using dumbbells and have the same pain so I believe its the action of having my palms pointed to the ceiling and pushing up weights is giving me the problem. My left arm is fine when doing it, just my right arm.

Let you know that the pain is so bad that I had to stop my sets last workout. I was wondering has anyone had this issue before, and if so what can be done about it. In the meantime, are there any exercises that can effectively replace the overhead press in the 5x5 stronglift program.

 

[brikis98]

A snapping noise and a sharp pain should be pretty clear clues that something is wrong and that you should stop. I'm not familiar with an injury of this type, but I'd strongly urge you to not do any more OH press and go visit a doctor to get it checked out.

Probably the best substitute for the OH press would be handstand push-ups - you can check out some progressions here and here. However, the motion is fairly similar to the OH press, so you might still experience the same pain. In that case, I wouldn't worry too much about going overhead while you have this injury. Bench press and dips will be enough to develop pressing strength and if you balance them with equal amounts of rows and pull-ups, you'll maintain a healthy rotator cuff.

 

[mk52]

How are you gripping the bar? Pain in the forearm could mean that you are bending your wrist too much and straining your forearm as the weight pulls your wrist down.

Check this link for a better explanation

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: mk52
How are you gripping the bar? Pain in the forearm could mean that you are bending your wrist too much and straining your forearm as the weight pulls your wrist down.

Check this link for a better explanation

This is kinda what I had in mind when I read the post. OP, make sure your wrists are straight. Your forearms shouldn't really be shifting during the movement except for vertical movement. If they are, either your form is wrong or something's wrong anatomically. Have you had a previous injury there?