More Details on the Pain
I probably shouldn’t have introduced my shoulder problem in a quick, not-so-detailed post last night. For about the last month or so I have been having some shoulder pain in both shoulders. While it started hurting primarily in my left shoulder, it is now hurting primarily in my right shoulder. At the time it began hurting I was not doing any exercise or stretches with my arms, so I don’t really know what caused it. I do sleep on my sides, and it has gotten to the point I can barely sleep on my right side. In fact, I am wondering if that doesn’t have something to do with this. While I can still do push ups pain free, I am taking it really easy with them and the planks right now because I don’t want to aggravate this issue. The Intu-Flow joint stretching routine is painful on some of the shoulder moves, but I am trying not to push it until it hurts, but stop right before that point. I think this routine is helping though as my shoulders both feel better tonight than they have in a week or more. The good news is my elbow isn’t hurting much at all right now.
The other good news is my blood pressure is coming back down. I wish I knew for sure what happened with this. There are a few factors, but the one that catches my attention the most is the day it began to go up was the day I stopped taking fish oil capsules. The day after I started taking the fish oil capsules again my blood pressure began falling. It is almost where it was before the big spike. The evidence is hardly conclusive, but it sure does make one stop and think.
It sure has been cold here this week. During the day it has been in the high 20′s or very low 30′s, but at night and in the early morning it is about 10 degrees (that is like -12 degrees Celsius). I am sure glad we didn’t get this cold spell as I was trying to crank out the last few miles for my goal last year. We may get a few inches of snow tonight, and while the kids are excited, I am not so much that way.
Exercise today was pretty good. I did the short Intu-Flow warm up routine, Tabata Jacks, a small amount of push ups, and one short front, right-side, and left-side plank. Tomorrow is the cursed Tabata squats! 
Food was also good today, especially since I forgot my lunch. Basically I had a can of tuna that was in my desk and several hot peppers. Everything else was good too other than I have eaten too many dried figs tonight. This is my first time eating them, and my life would be easier had I never tasted them.
How about a visual for the evening? This is a body scan image of an overweight woman vs. an image of a normal weight woman. The difference is amazing. Folks, this is just part of the reason we have to remain strong and finish this journey that we have started.
Image source: http://i.imgur.com/fn8N3.jpg.
Last, but not least, this will be the last reminder from me to join in on The Perfect 10. You actually have until tomorrow (Thursday) night at midnight, but I won’t post another reminder. I cannot say it better than many of the participants. This challenge is a great way for you to start to develop some great habits and rid your life of some bad ones. New Year’s Resolutions are tough because the time frame is so long. This challenge is meant to help with that. We can all do something for ten weeks. Now is the time, this is the place. Join in The Perfect 10 and make 2010 your year!
Steve, hope the pain goes away completely & soon. I can hardly sleep on my back, and now that you mention it, I wonder if the intermittent pain in my left shoulder doesn’t also come from sleeping on my left side. Hmmm, food for thought… here I was thinking perhaps I’m simply carrying too much emotional weight on my shoulders! =)
Thanks for the powerful visual difference between the two bodies, wow.
Your video yesterday sure looked CHILLY. Stay warm that side!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:33 am
Pippa, the shoulders were better today, which I am attributing, at least for now, to sleeping on my back last night. Let’s see if that continues.
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Steve, That sure sounds like NO fun! Have you seen a chiropractor? I had such horrible shoulder pain and also upper back pain for the longest time. It was excruciating. I finally got up the nerve to see a very well qualified chiropractor (was scared for years) and the pain is totally gone!!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:36 am
I haven’t seen a chiropractor yet Julie, and that is a good idea. I do feel better today though, so maybe it was all to do with sleepin on my side.
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oh dear. Shoulder pains are the worst. My dad had that for some time..actually, a VERY long time.
I recommend you seeing an acupuncturist? I’ve seen one for sometime, and those stuff really works.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:36 am
Wendy has also recommended that. I need to look into whether we even have one in our area.
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wow, thanks for the visual..
(I amsorry about your shoulder pain, I do hope it gets better….I won’t recommend anything because me and doctors…not so much)
That picture of the internal body fat….
I have had a feeling that comes and goes with my ribs.
When I lose weight, my ribs will ache for a few days.
I think it’s because the fat pushed them out…even when I was 80 lbs heavier, I could feel them…now that I am shrinking, so are my ribs…inward.
If you look at the two pictures, you can see how the inner cavity gets smaller.
Just something I noticed.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:37 am
I bet you are right about the ribs. It is really amazing to see that visual.
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Two family members (not related) have had shoulder problems and in both cases it was the muscle separating. Both had to have surgery and in my mother’s case, the problem was solved. My BIL had waited too long and one of the muscles could not be reattached, so he’s going to have pain in that area for the rest of his life. So, have it checked out!
That x-ray picture really hit me in the solar plexus. I’m off to gym immediately!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:37 am
I need to keep this in mind Hanlie – thanks for pointing it out. I do feel better today though, so I am going to see if this trend continues. If not, off to the doc.
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Those two pictures tell the whole truth dont they.Wow that is really a wake up call isnt it?Sorry about the shoulder pain,wish I had some good advice but my advice is to go see your reg doc first and foremost and let them check it out.Besides you really have a great dr if I remember correctly dont you,Id go see her.Keep warm,that will probably help the pain too.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:38 am
They do VAngel. It is sobering.
I do have a great doc, and she will be the place I begin if I go get this seen about.
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Hi Steve – Sorry to hear of your shoulder pain. Ahh, the rigors of exercising an ever-aging body! You’re young – give it a few more years! It seems like aches take a bit longer to resolve, and happen more often. Very frustrating, but it sounds like you’re taking it easy and in stride. The shoulder joints have the largest range of motion of any joint in the body – so when you have pain there, it can affect a lot of movement. I agree with VAngel that if it persists much longer, get checked out by a doc. And after working out, ice for 10 minutes. This really helps decrease inflammation and discomfort.
Thanks for posting the body scan images – chilling! Good motivation to stay the course.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:39 am
I keep hearing this Leslie. I never believed it, but as I get older I experience it more and more. I will see how this improves, if it doesn’t or if it is slow, I will head to the doc.
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Wendy Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 11:06 am
I don’t agree that aches and pains are a natural part of healthy aging – perhaps a part of unhealthy lifestyle choices. Research tends to support pain-free aging with lifelong healthy lifestyles. I work with clients well into their 70′s and some in their 80′s who are totally pain free, not even osteoarthritis!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Wendy, I thought you might take this perspective. I hope I come around to this way of thinking, but the last year is convincing me otherwise. To be fair, I haven’t done the types of things I am doing now, which I hope cause this to improve tremendously.
the cursed Tabata squats!LOL
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:39 am
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Doesn’t sound good your shoulder pain Steve, if it keeps hurting I would see a physiotherapist if I were you.
What a difference those body scan images, makes you think doesn’t it?
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:39 am
Thanks for the advice Fran. As I commented to others, it is feeling better today. Perhaps it is getting better.
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Steve, I hope you figure out that shoulder thing!!! Are you going to go to the doc just to be sure? Glad it is a bit better but be aware & don’t let go too long!!!
Very interesting on the fish oil caps… what brand do you use & what dosage.. any side effects.. I hear like burping & stuff like that….
That visual was amazing. I have seen things like this but I always like that reminder.. THX!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 7:09 am
I will see how it progresses Jody. If I don’t feel any pain at all in a week or so, then no. If I do, then I may.
I’ll check the fish oil – I can’t remember right now. More on that later.
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Man, Steve, somehting just want to keep knocking you down, huh? I’m glad you’re working on the stretching plan, becuase I’m sure that will help a bunch. I’m praying for healing!
That was a cool image. I’ve never seen that, and would be interested in seeing what I look like. BTW< I just got a new scale that measures my body fat %, and I'll be tracking that on Saturday–yikes, it's pretty scary!!
I'll also start measurements, so maybe if you could tell me your method for doing them, that would be super cool.
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Christy Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Beej, take those scale body fat measurements with a huge grain of salt — they can be inaccurate by as much at 6 or 7%! See, they use electrical impedance to measure body fat. Those measurements are directly impacted by differences in hydration/blood salts levels in the blood.
The gold standard for body fat testing is hydrostatic testing (the dunk test) that uses displacement to assess body fat accurately. This is a mobile lab that I visit here in Seattle, although they are also in other cities:
http://www.bodyfattest.com/
I paid $45 for the test, I think, but it was well worth it. I’m repeating the test every 6-8 weeks to make sure I’m not losing too much muscle as I lose fat.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Christy, I agree, they are inaccurate, but they are supposed to be very consistent as long as you measure in the morning after emptying your bladder. Of course, water retention can play havoc with it though. It is just a tool though.
I would love to do the dunk test, but the nearest place I can find it is three hours away. I’ll have to pay attention when I am traveling for work and see if I can find a place to do it then.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
No doubt Beej! I am just about getting tired of it. I need the prayers!
I would also like to see what I look like, but then again, maybe not.
I’ll shoot you an email on the measurements.
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Regarding your shoulder pain, are you working out with weights? Have you been doing squats with weights? That could aggravate it for sure. Look for a chiropractor who works with athletes and/or does strength and conditioning training. A good interview question is to ask if he/she uses electrical muscle stimulation. If not, there is an excellent chance that you’ve found a good chiropractor and not a quack. Seeing my chiro every few months is key to me being able to work out.
Regarding your blood pressure — when you were on meds, were you on a diuretic? If so, you may need to doublecheck that you are getting more potassium in your diet. I am on a mildly diuretic tea as I’m weaning off the meds. It has been quite helpful.
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
I do not use weights at all Christy.
My wife goes to a great chiropractor who does not use electrical muscle stimulation. I may need to make my first appointment.
I was not on a diuretic, unless my med was a diuretic. I need to check that out. Thanks Christy!
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Where are we supposed to post our updates re: perfect 10? In the original post? Mine can be found here.
http://foodandtherapy.blogspot.com/2010/01/perfect-10-week-1.html
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
There will be a post that goes up first thing in the morning for you to update on. Of course those who updated on my update today are fine too.
I’ll check yours out in a bit.
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Shoulder pain sucks…I get it to on my right side…probably mouse related for me.
Hopefully yours are feeling better soon!
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South Beach Steve Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 6:25 am
They are continuing to feel better – not totally well, but better.
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