Slight shoulder pain in rear deltoid, and other questions.

[JL]

Today I realized I had some slight pain in one of my rear deltoids. It doesn't hurt to rotate the shoulder around (although it does click slightly) but only when I massage in firmly in a spot the size of a quarter. My last pull up session was 48 hours ago (nothing else is sore, lats, traps etc.), and I did some stetching with hands behind my back last night. I have had a history of my right shoulder clicking, but has stopped since I started stretching my rear delts years ago.

1) Should I just work through it, because it doesn't hurt when I do pulling movements? Or, should I skip my pulling workout, tonight.

2) I read elsewhere that you should never release tension from the shoulders at the bottom of the pull up, or shoulder problems can occur. Is this true? I usually relase the tension to a dead hang, slowly get it back, and then pull back up strongly. Is the recommended technique different for both bars and rings?

[thekyloe]

Well, what movements of your arm, if any, does it hurt during?

I'd say play it by ear--if it gives you trouble, back off, but if you feel fine, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just my opinion, anyway.

[Coach Sommer]

I would recommend that you rest. The vast majority of the time, knowing when to ease off and allowing your body to recover will pay tremendous dividends in the long run; both in terms of performance as well as athletic longevity.

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer