I go to the health club 3-4 times a week, and have for years. Some warm up, stretch, then if it’s a weight day - that then some cool down and stretching again. If it’s not a weight day, it’s all stretching and cardio.
Last week, I noticed a muscle achy thing going on in my upper left arm, not quite my shoulder. Then upper, front/outside part of my left arm. Yesterday, when I was doing a standing/upright rowing lift - that hurt like hell. (Yes, I stopped when I felt the unusual pain) Nothing else I did was aggravating at all, just that.
It feels like a deltoid, even down into my bicep and dammit, it hurts. Even not carrying anything just extending my arm and twisting is a bitch.
I haven’t added anything to what I’ve done before - so how’d I mess this up?
I won’t even try to guess what is causing your pain, but I can tell you that upright rows are notorious for causing shoulder problems. There is nothing you gain from upright rows that you can’t get from other lifts. Want stronger traps? do heavy shrugs, stronger shoulders? overhead presses. Part of the problem with upright rows is that they can cause problems even when correct technique is used. Overhead presses, on the other hand, can cause problems as well but only when you start lifting incorrectly, ie, leaning back to press more weight, not keeping the back straight, etc.
Upright rows can cause Bursitis because of the angle of the joint at the top part of the movement, apparently it causes the bursa sac (not sure if I have the terminology correct there) to be compressed. Also, at the top part of the lift it’s really easy to get out of position. Even though it doesn’t relate to your arm problem there are lots of great strength training books available here http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/ironmind/index.jsp I’ve picked up quite a few over the years.
When I had bursitis in my shoulder, the doctor recommended holding a relatively light weight and letting my arm hang slack for a while now and then, maybe swinging gently. He said loosening up the shoulder muscles takes pressure off the bursa. It seemed to work, but it took a while to clear up completely.
BTW: It feels like your arm is hurting because pain in the bursa is referred. I gather this means the bursa shares pain receptors with the muscles in your upper arm. It’s pretty common for internal organs to cause pain where you don’t expect it.
You know, I don’t remember! I’ve played with a rowing machine in the past, but I think that was after the bursitis episode. I think it was probably just mundane lifting and carrying books and stuff that did it.