i’m getting a deep ache in my left arm, feeling like it’s a couple inches below my shoulder, after working it. im currently conditioning for a semi technical summit this spring, and putting more emphasis in my rock ability… i’ve been doing slightly higher intensity bouldering at my local PRG, and spending as much time on real rock as i can, working on technique (but not particularly strenuous lines). i’m also doing a weekly climbing strength and conditioning class that works the arms pretty hard- aside from that, i’m really not doing too much more than i generally do.
i’ve been training for about 6 weeks, and have had this problem for about the last 2 weeks. it started as minor pain only when i worked my arms hard, but now it seems to be getting worse, hurting pretty bad after only about 20 minutes of moderately hard climbing. last night, bouldering for no more than 15 minutes, with my left arm already starting to hurt, firmly holding a hold with my left hand, my right hand slipped, slightly jarring my left arm as it arrested my fall… and it hurt so bad i couldn’t even hold on. i had to jump down. i went home, and it throbbed for about the next two hours straight. now, as i sit here- absolutely no pain, and full range of motion. i do have very minor, almost imperceptible tingling in my left hand, however.
i intend to get in to my doctor, but being a self-employed service-connected veteran, my medical options are limited to the VA… so it’s probably gonna be a while till i get seen, and ages till i get any kind of definitive answer. i know there’s guys around here with more knowledge of athletic injuries than most doctors, so i figured i’d post in the mean time.
is this simple rotator cuff strain? stay off it for a couple weeks and try again? i doubt i’ve really injured it, since it doesn’t hurt except during/after climbing… really hoping to not have a huge conditioning setback.
thanks