Stiffness when I lift my arm

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’ve been getting over a back injury that has more or less healed. Part of my rehabilitation has included working out my arm, back, and core muscles. None of the exercises have been overly strenuous (lifting 10 lb weights, push ups, leg lifts, etc.), and I stretch before and after working out.

While my back has gotten much better, I’m getting soreness and stiffness in my upper body. On some days I don’t have my full range of motion. In particular, it’s difficult for me to A) lift my arms out from my side and straight up and B) stretching my arms out and back (stretching out my sides and just below my shoulder).

I’m not good with anatomy, but based on a Google images search I think it’s one or more of these muscles groups that are bothering me: Rotator cuff (below my shoulder, definitely NOT above it), infraspinatus, serratus anterior, latissimus dorsi, and/or my pectoral muscles.

Any thoughts? I’m too young to be having range of motion issues. Should I be stretching differently? Lifting differently? Has anyone else had the same problem?

2

Since the answers will probably be opinions, let’s move this from IMHO to GQ.

samclem, moderator

3

Look up bursitis / frozen shoulder.

4

I don’t think so…

From Wikipedia:

The stiff muscles feel closer to my skin than my bones. Also:

So that makes it more unlikely. Could it just be excessive inflammation?

5

Also not this… Didn’t realize it was separate from bursitis. I don’t have the sharp shooting pain or any of the risk factors. From AAOS.org:

I’m a 26 year old guy… Or a 14 year old girl as far as Bieberfever.com is concerned…

Also, the more I focus on where the soreness is, I realize it’s almost definitely not in my arm or shoulder, but actually in my chest. Perhaps my pectorals?