Cramp - Triathlon Week

pyschosyd · 04-18-2005, 04:51 PM

Hey guys.
I don't know if any of you have run into this, but lately I've been getting a cramp on my back under my shoulder blade. It can start anywhere from 2 min into a run up to half way. I can usually get rid of it by keeping my arm straight and relaxed. Not exactly condusive to running form but it works.

It only bothers me for a bit then goes away (everyonce and a while it will return later in the run) I have started to try and stretch that muscle before I start, but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.
ANy advice?

Syd

Smartt/RST · 04-19-2005, 09:39 AM

Pyschosyd,
It's quite possible that the sourse of the problem is not muscular, but skeletal. If you have a rib "out", for example, as the chiros like to say, it can be pulling on that particular muscle in an abnormal way. Likewise, a stronger muslce could be the problem, one that is overpowering the muscle where you feel the pain, causing the same result. If it persists, I would recommend a trip to someone who could sort it out for you.
Otherwise, you could try rolling on a tennis ball while pulling your effected shoulder blade away from your spine. This is accomplished by pulling the arm of the same side across the body, as if to stretch the outside of the shoulder.
Good luck.