Let's see if anyone can help with this...

[ponyboy]

Hello again,

I have a bit of a problem for when I start back with the weights heavy again. I not too long ago tore two of the heads of my rotator cuff and my bicep tendon in my left shoulder. It has healed, but my strength on that side is way less than it used to be because of rehab, etc. I have been doing exercises to strengthen my rotator cuff constantly and I'm making progress. My problem is that flat bench is still a major pain (literally), while incline isn't so bad, but my chest development is starting to suffer as a result and I'm getting one of those strange midline pec striations (I only noticed since I'm shredded right now). Any advice on how to work around this problem? I'm convinced that if I just keep at my flat bench my strength will slowly return but would like to hear any ideas.

 

[Fade]

Try light flat bench with dumbells to help you concentrate on that side. Using a dumbell will help strengthen the stabilizer muscles too.

 

[Robboe]

Working around the problem isn't gonna fix anything. You should visit a physiotherapist.

 

[ponyboy]

Actually I've had work on it from both physios and an althetic therapist...they said I had two options...recover normally and build it back up slowly in which case I could be back in 6 months or have surgery and be out for a year...I chose to not have surgery.

 

[Robboe]

Did they give you a specific program to use to "build it back up slowly?"

 

[Neil]

I'm no doctor but if it hurts to bench then I'd say it isn't healed. I'd see an orthopedic specialist and stop doin any moves that cause pain. They will only make it worse. Out of curiosity what did you do to your arm to cause all that damage?

 

[ponyboy]

I'd rather not say how I did it because it is rather personal

No, they didn't give me a specific program because I know how to rehab it myself with exercises, and I've made good progress, I guess I'm just frustrated that it is taking so godammned long to heal. Then of course if it heals improperly I'm going to need surgery anyway, which i'm trying to avoid.

 

[Robboe]

Dude, even if you're an expert a second opinion is always a good idea, especially when it comes to health. You should ask to see what they say and recommend.

Did you fuck yourself up using poor form?

 

[ponyboy]

I'll just say that I wasn't lifting any weights at the time..unless you consider another person a weight...

I woke up the next morning and couldn't move my arm. Didn't notice the night before. Of course it was already weak because I strained my ACL a year before throwing some idiot around bouncing at a bar.

 

[ActionMatt]

Just out of curiosity, what does your ACL have to do with your shoulder?

 

[Robboe]

dude, i hurt my left shoulder when i was drunk a few months back too. Nothing major but it stopped my flat benching for a few months. I've only just started back up with them.

 

[ponyboy]

When I'm talking ACL I mean my acromio-clavicular ligament. Glad to hear you can share my pain, CD

 

[Scotty the Body]

I know for me anyway, using DB doesn't seem to bother my shoulders near as much as BB.