Climbing injury

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I've been climbing for abt 2 yrs now. Recently i took a couple weeks off from climbing because of school. When i got back i realised that my shouders felt really sore(limited range of movement) esp the day after climbing(which has never happened before). Why is this? Are there any exercises i could do to strengthen my shoulder or prevent such injury?
Answer -
I think this may depend on what part of your shoulder.  How long does the pain last.  Could you have just exercised it really good by doing some different moves in excess that you haven't done before?  Let me know and I'll do my best to help.

Nick

Well, its just sore wheni raise my left arm and when i try to stretch it out. But come to think of it, i did try a new move that really finished me for tht climbing session. The pain has sorta subsided, but its been almost a week now. and i'm kinda hesitant to hit the gym again,dont want to aggravate it. Thanks for the help!
ps: its achy  at the deltoids(but not superficially), and only wheni do movement that is almost at the edge of my range of motion.

Answer
Disclamer:  This is the way that I think about it.  I am by no means a doctor and have not take any classes to qualify me to give you any information other than my limited opinion regarding the body and how it works.

Having said that:  If you think about a muscle, I imagine it to look something like a bunch of rubberbands.  When you exercise a muscle, some of those bands are torn by over exertion.  The body then heals its self.  But instead of simply healing its self to the way it was before the exercise took place, it makes the bands stronger so that next time they will be less likely to tear.  This is how I imagine muscles to increase in strength and size.  When you begin exercising a group of muscles that havn't be used to an extreme in a while, they are shocked so to speak and more bands will be torn.  As you continue to utilize those muscles more often, less are torn at a time and you will heal faster and will feel less ache and pain. By what you are telling me, I will make the assuption that this is what has happened to you.  When you deside to return to the gym, take it easy for a bit and get your muscles adequately warmed up before you exert them again.  You may find that they may be sore again but not to the exent of before and will heal faster.  I would also suggest streaching after an easy warm up and at times during your climbing session.  It will help you when climbing and flexible muscles seem to be healthier muscles, they must be more resistant to tearing.  I also find that when I have sore muscles, streaching at home helps even if it hurts a bit.  Don't over do it, but moving it may help the blood flow.  So, I think that you just pushed your self to your extreme more so than before.  Hope that makes sence.  Let me know if you have any more questions.  Thanks,

Nick