# Why does my shoulder hurt when I run? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 29, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812 "2015-04-29T14:53:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812/1 "2015-04-29T14:53:45Z")
I’m putting this in IMHO because I think the answers to this are gonna be more opinion than fact, but feel free to move this if you wanna! I have an annoying problem that creeps up when I run, and I want to know what’s happening and to get advice on how to make it stop. I run on a treadmill at the good ole Planet Fitness, and more often than not it seems I am getting an annoying cramp in the tendon that connects my neck to my shoulder (deltoid?). It’s always on my right side, it happens around 20 min or so of my run, and it just feels like someone is sticking a knife in my damn muscle. Does anyone know what I’m doing to make this one muscle in a random part of my body hurt when I’m running? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812/2 "2015-04-29T14:57:52Z")
A side stitch will sometimes present as shoulder pain. Try to belly breath, warm up well and make sure you’re relaxed. You can also breathe out against pressure (like blowing out a candle) but it’s noisy, wouldn’t want to “lunk alarm”. . ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812/3 "2015-04-29T15:02:04Z")
Do you run with your arms flailing about? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812/4 "2015-04-29T15:07:32Z")
My shoulders used to start cramping horribly almost as soon as I started running, despite my being in pretty good shape. When I switched to barefoot running shoes (Vibrams five fingers, which look stupid as hell but I love) it changed my form completely and I don’t get shoulder cramps anymore. So for me at least, it was apparently bad form. Dunno if that helps at all. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812/5 "2015-04-29T15:15:31Z")
I sometimes get the same thing, mainly in my neck. I generally work though it by stopping to stretch or raising my arm over my head and stretching while on the move. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812/6 "2015-04-29T16:09:48Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > I sometimes get the same thing, mainly in my neck. I generally work though it by stopping to stretch or raising my arm over my head and stretching while on the move. Ironically stretching the muscle doesn’t help, it feels best if I move my arm up as if I’m talking on the phone ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812/7 "2015-04-29T17:50:51Z")
I’ve had similar aches. It’s probably your form in some way. If it’s annoying enough to be limiting, then I’d recommend seeing a PT who focuses on running injuries. They can evaluate your form and make suggestions. If you’re not ready for a PT, then you can try to relax your shoulders and “shake out” your arms every once in a while. This could help if you’re keeping your upper body too tight. Also if your arms usually swing sideways across your chest as you run, try moving them forward and back more - concentrate on driving them in the direction you are running. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-shoulder-hurt-when-i-run/718812/8 "2015-04-29T17:56:38Z")
Don’t bunch up your shoulders and neck when you run. Keep reminding yourself to drop your shoulders and elongate your neck by tipping your head slightly forward, especially if you tend to run with your chin up. If you bunch your hands into tight fists, relax those too.