A child's shoulder pain while swimming can be disturbing, especially if she has never experienced it before. It can occur if your child participates in competitive swimming --- or even if she just frequently swims in the neighborhood pool. Because symptoms can be severe, it is important to understand why a child can experience shoulder pain while swimming and how it can be treated.
Symptoms
Swimming-related shoulder pain can vary from mild to debilitating. A child can experience it when he moves his arm while swimming, especially while reaching or raising it up overhead. Pain can be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms including inflammation, irritation, swelling and weakness of the tendons and muscles in the shoulder area. A child can also experience shoulder instability or limited range of motion.
Causes
The repeated shoulder motions involved with swimming can lead to shoulder inflammation or rotator cuff or tendon tears. Poor swimming technique, such as crossing the hand over the middle of the body when it enters the pool can impinge the biceps tendon, resulting in shoulder pain. In addition, overusing the muscles and tendons in the shoulder area with excessive swimming or using a kickboard can fatigue the shoulder and make it susceptible to sprains and strains. Unilateral breathing, such as turning the head to the side to breathe while swimming, can also trigger a child's shoulder pain.
Treatment Options
Have your child rest and avoid swimming or any activity that triggers shoulder pain. Apply ice to the shoulder area for about 20 minutes and give her an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen to help treat any pain or inflammation. Seek medical attention if pain is severe, chronic or does not respond to home treatment. A doctor can show your child physical therapy exercises, inject a steroid or surgically repair an injury.
Prevention
To prevent future shoulder pain while swimming, teach your child the proper freestyle stroke. His hand should always enter the water with his small finger first and with his palm inward. Teach your child to stretch out the muscles in his neck, shoulders and chest prior to swimming. This will help warm up the muscles in the shoulder area and help prevent impingement or other injury.
Posted in: