Shoulder Problems "posting for a freind"

[big gig]

Sounds like it could be a partial tear of the rotator cuff, bursitis (sp?) or tendonitis. Shoulder pain is a bitch to diagnose...and if you go to the doc's 9/10 times their advice will be to take time off...$$ well spent for that advice The fact that they fall asleep makes me think that there definitely is some swelling in the tendons of the shoulder...putting pressure on a nerve. Best thing def. would be to go to the docs and get an MRI. For now, if he keeps working out, I'd make sure to warm up with lower weights for a lot longer, warm up the rotator cuff specifically, go lower on bench and shoulder exercises...do decline and flat bench. I'd probably hold off on incline bench for a while...that puts more pressure on the shoulder.

i have had the same problem, i've had surgery on both shoulders. one a pretty good tear and scar tissue, the other arthroscopic for scar tissue and frayinf of supra spinotis(sp) . anyhow usually you start symptoms with mild bursitis. its basically swelling and irritation. as you continue to use the shoulder it compounds things because as the swelling is there it creates more friction of the effected areas hence more irritation and swelling. that equals more pain more damage and more scar tissue. the only way to really get rid of the pain (depending on extent of injury) is to take some time off and let the swelling go fully down, or try a conservative measure first with a shot of cortisone and possibly anti inflammatories. it helped me for a little while but damage was to great and i opted for surgery. physical therapy can help also.i f he insists on doing anything i would eliminate any barbells for chest and shoulders and use dumbells instead.also i seriously would not do any over head exercises as this is really damaging. imho i would get the mri and see whatys really going on. i must say, and i'll state everyone is not the same, surgery was the answer for me. i have no shoulder pain whatsoever it's been 2 and 3 years now since them, and i flat bench 315 for 10 at 180 lbs. goodluck with whatever decision your buddy makes.