Here’s the deal. Shoot about 200-400 rounds a week, almost all 9mm (small amount of .22LR). Usually in G19. Have a sore strong side shoulder. Primary cause, I think, was the result of “batting” a fallen limb against a tree trunk to break the limb for disposal. Limb wasn't as rotten as I thought, didn’t break, but shoulder did feel the impact. The initial problem/pain appeared solved with a shot (cortisone or something similar) from orthopedist and PT (stretching, etc.). This happened a couple of years ago.
In the last year or so, shoulder has developed a dull ache, and I’m not sure of the cause, i.e., is it related to that original injury, is it exacerbated by shooting, age (71 on next birthday). Pain does seem to increase a bit after shooting, and I probably have been doing more lately, perhaps carrying/using fairly large backpack leaf blower (with the blower tube held by my strong side hand), or maybe even using laptop mouse. The stretching exercises (“rubber bands”) and light weights help pain go away, but usually only for a few hours. Sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with shoulder or elbow ache.
Been back to ortho. He’s X-rayed shoulder and neck (no MRI), and hasn’t seen anything as a clear cause (some arthritis, couple of small spurs, but no rotator cuff issue, no "ah ha - - - that's it" as cause). Early on he prescribed diclofenac. More recently, just Tylenol and ibuprofen. And continue the PT.
Doing all that, but still nagging pain. It's primarily a bother when still (sitting, sleeping). Not as noticeable when active.
Any of you docs, higher volume shooters, and/or old guys, had similar pain and found a cause, treatment and/or solution?
Thanks!!