Unusual Pull-ups Shoulder Pain

**sbowesuk** · 01-17-2011, 09:02 AM

**Posted this on the Injury/Recovery board, but that place seems dead, so will try here

**

Current Routine: Starting Strength, Practical Programming Novice Program.

Exercise Affected: Friday Pull-ups.

Problem: Pain in left shoulder.

Problem Timeline: Past two Fridays.

First Occurrence Description: Weighted pull-ups plus 10kg (22 pounds) attached. Noticed a slight irritation in my left shoulder when at the very bottom of the movement, i.e. dead hang. Since the sensation was only present at the very bottom and not severe, I simply reduced the ROM to avoid going all the way down. Was able to continue as normal, completing all 3 sets with expected number of reps.

Second Occurrence Description: Due to the previous Friday's mild complication, decided to proceed with caution and not add the normal 10kg additional weight. Despite this precaution, I could not even complete 2 reps in the 1st set. Pain was immediate, acute, and now affected the shoulder regardless of ROM or position. Abandoned exercise.

Unusual Aspect of Problem: Pain has only ever occurred during pull-ups, but not Monday chin-ups. Overhead press and bench press also seem unaffected. When not training, there is no sign of the problem whatsoever, with full joint mobility and no pain or odd sensation.

Additional Info: My pull-ups grip is just wider than shoulder width, so elbows tend to be at the sides. My chin-up grip is fairly narrow, so elbows are in front, not at the sides. Both exercises have been progressing almost identically up to this point, i.e. same rep and weight increases.

Question 1: What could be going on here?

Question 2: Should I just cut out pull-ups/chin-ups from my routine for now and continue, or cut out bench/overhead press too?

P.S. - I'll visit a doctor if there's still a problem after the cooling off period. Having said that, doctors here won't send you for a scan/MRI unless your literally falling apart. Free health care sucks :/