Swimmer’s shoulder is an overuse injury caused by the repetitive overhead motion of swimming, and it typically settles within a few weeks to a couple of months with the right adjustments to training and treatment, but continuing to swim through it at the same volume usually makes it worse, not better.
If shoulder pain has crept in since you picked up open-water swimming or ramped up training for a triathlon, this is one of the most common culprits.
What’s actually happening
Swimming, especially front crawl, puts the shoulder through a huge number of repetitive overhead rotations each session. Over time, this can irritate the tendons and structures around the shoulder joint, particularly if technique, training volume, or shoulder strength haven’t quite caught up with how much you’re swimming.
Common triggers
- A sudden increase in swimming volume — common heading into open-water or triathlon season
- Technique changes — new stroke work or coaching adjustments that change how the shoulder moves
- Limited variety — swimming being the only training load, without other strength work to support the shoulder
What it typically feels like
Aching or pain at the front or side of the shoulder, often worse during the pull phase of the stroke, and sometimes lingering afterwards or when reaching overhead in daily life.
Why “swimming through it” often backfires
Because the injury is caused by repetitive load, continuing the same volume of swimming without adjustment tends to keep aggravating it rather than letting it settle, even if you feel like you’re “working through the pain.”
What treatment involves
Assessment to identify what’s driving the irritation, often a combination of shoulder strength, technique, and training load, followed by a plan that typically includes short term load adjustment, targeted strengthening, and a gradual return to full training volume, rather than complete rest.
Book your assessment in Mold
If shoulder pain is creeping in the more you swim, our team can help you get back in the water without it holding you back. Book your assessment with our Physiotherapy or Sports Therapy team in Mold, let us know if you have a preferred therapist. Book now.