[Vickie]

Yea, shoulders are a tricky subject since there can be so many potential and complimentary problems. Julian is right as Dr. Dave encouraged you to try his tests. It will atleast give you a direction. I have found a common cause of shoulder pain whether it winds up being rotator cuff or bicipial in nature. It is a weakness in the lower trapezius muscle that allows for faulty shoulder position. When your scapula rides up (you will see with rounded shoulders) it also tilts anteriorly allowing the Pectoralis minor to shorten and perpetuate the problem. I recommend doing a strength training program with more emphasis on the full range of motion in proper position than on the quantity of weight. This is often tricky since I usually see people doing a butterfly exercise by opening their arms but not the chest. Take your mind to the muscle you are working and you will feel the chest opening and expanding and the arms just serve the process. Likewise a cable lat pull down is often pulled with the biceps minimizing the power you bring to the large lat muscle. Any time you do an exercise or a stretch, take a minute and engage (tense) the muscle you are focused on and then let your extremities follow the pathway.

I would refer you back to an earlier thread with Martee where a number of exercises are listed in detail. He had great results and you can too. Just bring you mind to your muscles and enjoy freedom from pain. Remember, consistency is the secret. Vickie