I have been reading the forums for some time and really have learned a lot. I am 34 years old and have been working out since Feb 2006. About 2 months ago I started to feel pain in my right rear shoulder, tricep area. I normally start out with bench press and the first 2 sets were painful and I had to stop my workout early. I rested it for about 3 weeks then tried again and it was ok for the first week but then I did a shoulder/trap workout and the pain returned. It is sore from time to time but mostly when I lift weights. I tried to bench today with 130lbs but had to stop because it still hurts my shoulder when I bar is about half way down. I am going to rest it again and only do legs once/week. Should I rest for maybe a month then try again but use light weights to strengthen the shoulder? Are there strength building exercises for the shoulder using light weight. I hate to start over and lose all the progress I have made but I may not have a choice. Maybe I'm just getting too old.

Thanks
Blaine

Well, you're not alone in fighting shoulder injury. I would try to keep working out, but don't do specific shoulder work, overhead work, or benching for a while. Also, ice and ibuprofen can help. And if the situation isn't improving in a couple weeks, I'd definitely see an ortho doc.

And yes, there are specific shoulder-rehab type excersizes. I think t-nation has an article about that. But it partly depends on an accurate diagnosis so you know which rehab activities to do!

Well since you mentioned the pain returning on traps, I was told something this week I was doing wrong that might have had an effect on my slight shoulder pain the last few weeks.

If you are doing shrugs and roll your shoulders a lot, DON'T! Apparently this is really bad for you rotater cuff and shoulder ligaments. Straight up and down motions only please.