#63 - Common Shoulder Injuries Affecting Powerlifting & What to Do About Them: Surgical Intervention vs. Physical Therapy

#63 - Common Shoulder Injuries Affecting Powerlifting & What to Do About Them: Surgical Intervention vs. Physical Therapy

Author: Dr. Rori Alter, PT, SSC, PRSCC September 18, 2023 Duration: 52:28

Shoulder surgery is one of the most painful and debilitating surgeries that we see people go through. Because of this and the comparable outcomes of physical therapy relative to shoulder surgery, we encourage powerlifters to exhaust all conservative options before having shoulder surgery.

 

Shoulder surgeries seem to be the most challenging for people to deal with because it affects so many things:

  1. Personal hygiene

  2. Driving

  3. Feeding yourself

  4. Putting on and taking off shirts

  5. Sleeping

  6. Cooking 

  7. Grocery shopping 

  8. And much more

 

Contrary to popular belief, barbell training and powerlifting alone do not usually cause most of the "injuries" associated with the shoulder. Things like rotator cuff tears and tendinopathies, labral tears, "impingement," etc. are all things that affect the general population. So it's more likely that training volume, intensity, and barbell techniques are irritating a shoulder that already has some of this going on. And it's more than possible to reduce symptoms and make a full recovery without surgery.

 

Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. John Petrizzo discuss common shoulder injuries that affect barbell training and strategies for managing and rehabbing them, including physical therapy, training modifications, medical interventions such as cortisone injections, and finally, surgery.

 

 

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Hosted by Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. Alyssa Haveson, Progressive Rehab & Strength is a conversation for those who take lifting seriously, whether for sport or for life. Both hosts are practicing physical therapists and certified strength coaches with deep roots in powerlifting, giving them a unique, dual-perspective on the body under load. This podcast digs into the nuanced intersection of rehabilitation and performance, moving beyond generic advice. You’ll hear practical discussions on programming for longevity, managing training around injuries, and navigating the technical demands of the barbell lifts. The aim is to strip away confusion and provide actionable insights that help athletes and coaches build resilient, sustainable careers-both in the gym and in their professional practices. It’s a resource for critical thinkers who want their approach to strength to be informed by both clinical expertise and hard-earned experience on the platform. Tune in for a blend of science, real-world application, and straight talk from two professionals who live in this space every day.
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