Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Working Out With Shoulder Impingment
Content

Ask An Expert

Working Out With Shoulder Impingment

James D. Kelly

James D. Kelly, M.D.

SPMF San Francisco HMO Network

California Pacific Medical Center

Novato Community Hospital

Question:

I've been diagnosed with impingement in both of my shoulders. I don't want surgery, but I need a workout routine that does not rely on shoulders/pushups, as I can't support my body weight that way without having significant pain. Any suggestions?

Answer:

I suggest you get treatment for your impingement. Impingement is a fairly simple thing to treat, and most patients recover well and are able to resume activities like push-ups.

If you have had treatment but did not recover, you may need evaluation for a possible rotator cuff tear.

If this has all been evaluated and treated and you still have pain, which is determined to be due to impingement, then I suggest you work with a physical therapist to design a program which meets your exercise and fitness goals.

Related Questions

Question
  • Shoulder Dislocation Pain
    I dislocated my shoulder last year. I kept it in a sling for a few weeks, and then went through physical therapy. It has started to hurt again. I exercise regularly, but try to be careful of not reinjuring it. Anything I can do to prevent this pain?
  • Treatment Options for Shoulder Stiffness
    What kinds of treatment options are there for shoulder stiffness?
  • Rotator Cuff Injury and Treatment
    My left arm at the shoulder hurts all the time (including lifting things and even when I'm sleeping and turn on that side). I don't recall hurting it in any way. It started hurting several months ago. What could it be and how can I make it stop?
  • Hyaluronic Acid Injections
    I have heard about hyaluronic acid injections for knee pain. What are they, and who is a candidate for this therapy?
  • Concussions in Children and Teens
    I'm concerned about my child getting a concussion while taking part in organized athletics. What can I do?

Back to Bones, Joints and Muscles

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences