Shoulder blade pain

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

malachys

New Member
hello,
I was hoping one of you guys could help me. I bought myself a road bike about 8/9 weeks ago and I have been doing about 100 miles a week. Recently I have developed a real sharp pain under my left shoulder blade. It almost feels like a wasp sting. I also get numbness in my left hand which I see is referred to on the internet as handlebar palsy. has anyone come across this sort of shoulder pain before? any ideas (besides rest) to get rid of it would be really appreciated.
Thanks.
 

GrasB

Veteran
Location
Nr Cambridge
Your riding position probably is wrong & putting to much weight on your hands & shoulders, your left hand side typically being weaker is more susceptible to this. You could try raising your hand bars a little or changing your posture on the bike.

I've found that I was riding with the wrong handlebars & put simply I can't get an acceptable riding posture on drop, riser or flat bars for long rides, I have to be on bull bars.
 

MajorMantra

Well-Known Member
Location
Edinburgh
Try leaning on your arms less. If you are letting your arms take a lot of your weight then you will inevitably stiffen up and get sore. Instead, try holding your upper body up with the muscles of your torso. This helps for me.

Matthew
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
The muscle you are describing sounds like the Trapezius.

It has at least two functions for a cyclist.
1/ holds the rear of the shoulder from flopping forward.
2/ holds the neck upright.

A lot of new cyclist get pains in this muscle. Get someone to give you an exploratory massage right next to the shoulder blade. They may feel small lumps in the muscle. Some call these 'tension nodules'. Get your assistant to squeeze them gently until they feel like they are 'popping'.

More experienced cyclists get a tingling sensation there.

The exercise to improve this muscle ( and others ) is a Floor start 'upright rowing'. As the bar is pulled up to the clavicals, hold the chin up so you don't knock yourself out with the bar.
 
OP
OP
M

malachys

New Member
Cheers,thanks for the info.
Could you also recommend a good set of fingerless gloves?
I have a specialised pair and the padding is very poor and doesn't really provide much protection.
 

MajorMantra

Well-Known Member
Location
Edinburgh
malachys said:
Cheers,thanks for the info.
Could you also recommend a good set of fingerless gloves?
I have a specialised pair and the padding is very poor and doesn't really provide much protection.

Which Specialized gloves do you have? I find the BG Comps very good.

Matthew
 
Top Bottom