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Sore right shoulder

4K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  mglemans86 
#1 ·
Any thoughts on how to cure the sore right shoulder I get on long rides? I get a "tightness" where my neck and right shoulder come together. I have GenMar's on the Sprint, and do not have any wrist pain. I try to "hover" over the bars, to not weight up my wrists, and use a o-ring "throttle lock" for long straights which is great for my hand, but doesn't seem to help the shoulder much.

On a recent trip I switched and rode a buddy's FZ1 for a half hour, and the more upright and straighter bars made my shoulder feel better.

So, any ideas?

I have thought about the Convertibars, but since I don't have wrist pain, don't know if they would help.
 
#3 ·
I agree with rs_tt. you are putting pressure and tensing up your shoulders. Tense muscles = sore muscles.

95% of the problems I see here I'd give dollars to donuts that if the rider used the proper muscle groups to support themselves their soreness from their shoulders to their hands would go away. You should be supporting yourself entirely with your abs, back and thighs. Never arms.

I know you think you are not tense, but your sore neck and shoulder tell me otherwise. Loosen up and let your trunk and legs do the work.

Don
 
#4 ·
From your description, it sounds like your upper trapezius muscle and levator scapulae or 'upper traps' (and related minor groups.) It's often the same pain people get from over using the mouse on their computer. Like Don says, you may not think you're tensing up but even sporadic tension can lead to this type of pain. Check these things:
1. You may be dipping your shoulder a bit when you roll on throttle.
2. You may be clenching your neck during braking.
3. You may be gripping the bars too tightly. Should be loose like a weak handshake.
4. Check to see that your back is both vertically aligned over the center line of the bike when riding straight away and not arched or slumped.
5. Are you squeezing the front brakes hard the whole time during long stop lights or do you back off and let the rear brake hold you in place?

Chances are if you're "hovering" over the bars, you're using your arms to hold you up even if you don't feel any wrist pain. I've suggested before and stick by my point that yoga and even pilates can really help to strengthen your core (abs, back, hips) which will take a lot of pressure off your upper limbs and hands.

Hope any of this may help...
dennis :cool: :cool:
 
#6 ·
I think that dolson and RS-TT might be right about the tension. I need to consciously use my torso more for support and relax my shoulders. When I say hover over the bars, I mean that I am putting very little pressure on them at all, just a light touch. Of course, lots of downhill twisties make that difficult at times.

Denman seems to have hit it with the muscle groups affected.

I also think part of the problem on my last tour might have been the Triumph touring screen. It moves the airflow up to about eye level, so that I don't get the "push" from the wind.

I now have the lower, stock screen on and think it should help on longer trips, as it puts the airflow right at the top of my shoulders. :)
 
#7 ·
On 2007-06-15 05:17, monkinwitz wrote:
Hey ask Davem hes over 90 and he doesnt get sore anywhere
Is that in dog years?

I guess I also should have said that when I do notice I'm sore, I'm getting lazy and my support and posture has gone. Getting back into it and the tenseness goes away. That and I usually need a break and water, food or whatever. Keeping hydrated is extremely important especially when it's warm.

Don
 
#8 ·
+1 Don on the water. VERY important and so easy to overlook when you're "into" the thrill of a great ride. Dehydration can cause cramps, joint stiffness and worst-case can cause "bonking" which can include muscle failure and/or dizziness.

Especially on hot days AND in full leathers, you lose water so fast. Wear a hyrdo-pack or camel bag on warm days. You should feel like you need to pee within the 1st 1/2 hour of riding. If you ride for over an hour without feeling this, you're not drinking enough water!

I do a lot of bicycle riding too and I understand all too well the consequences of under-hydration.

cricket1, you might also try adding calcium supplements to your diet as well as an NO2 (Nitric Oxide enhancer-hemodilator) that may help to reduce lactic acid build-up (what makes muscles "burn" from usage.) Both are available in GNC type stores. :cool:
 
#9 ·
+1 on getting lazy. Sometimes I'll notice I'm starting to get sore usually I've tensed up. I now do the chicken wings flap - flap your elbows up and down... I'm not pulling your leg, it really works to loosen and relax your upper body - was taught to me by an instructor on the track. Give it a try.
 
#10 ·
On 2007-06-15 05:17, monkinwitz wrote:
Hey ask Davem hes over 90 and he doesnt get sore anywhere

Hahahaha! :hihi: :roflmoa2:

I can see your not going to let that go monkinwitz! :-D

Was that 90 degrees or 90 dog years then? :)

Seriously I totally agree with rs_tt and the Don.

I have a bad right wrist and a few years ago I had a very bad total dislocation of my right shoulder, I also have both knees give me trouble after an accident a few years ago.

And............... even though I am over 90 these things do not generally bother me unless like Don says I get lazy or it is cold and I am wearing the wrong kit.

Feel better now monkinwitz! :moon: :nana:

"hovering over the bars" sounds like a trecipe for aches to me.

DaveM :cool:
 
#11 ·
Get adjusted at a chiropractor. I always thought it was Voodoo medicine til lI tried it. I've been getting tweeked every 3 weeks since before last ski season. Just did a 12 hr 400+ mile day (all twisties) on the Sprint with no ill effects. At 50++ I'm no spring chicken either. :cool: :cool:
 
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