Shoulders stuck stiff.

[Spartacus Maximus]

Dropping and relaxing the shoulders to solicit the back and core muscles is a fundamental of powerful techniques. It is much easier said than done and a common problem is shoulders becoming locked or stiff. This stiffness and tension remains even after training is finished, sometimes for days.

Any ideas or innovations on how to avoid becoming shoulder-locked or getting rid of the stiffness?

[bushido_man96]

I think some massage and stretching would help alleviate the stiffness. Perhaps a heating pad when lying down for a time would help, as well.

[Hawkmoon]

A 'deep' massage!

... had three knots in my back that I didn't detect, just had a freeze/lock issue with my left shoulder from time to time when it was cold and damp or I over worked it ... had a 'sport' (deep) massage and the lady worked out the two knots on my left side in my back and the shoulder has been as good as gold ever since!

[Spartacus Maximus]

Perhaps it is some sort of knot resulting from muscle cramps which happen quite often. The area that feels stuck is the upper shoulders, the trapezius muscles maybe. Massage seems to work, but it seems like the effect is only temporary. Other than regular acupuncture treatments nothing else seems to be as effective. Thankfully it is not tight enough to be painful, it is just a feeling of being tense as if the muscles were constantly contracted and heavy

[JR 137]

Is this a chronic/recurring problem, or is it a new thing? If it's a new problem, chances are you can treat the symptoms with things like heat, ice, massage, etc.

Chronic and/or recurring tends to get pretty tricky. Usually those in that area are caused by either poor posture, poor biomechanics, or both. One can lead to the other as well.

In that instance, stuff like massage, heat, and even acupuncture are treating the symptoms, and not the problem. Fixing the problem can range from a few rehab visits to many visits followed by some long term maintenance.

The best thing to do if it's recurring is to see a movement specialist, be it a physical therapist, occupational therapist, athletic trainer (not personal trainer), exercise physiologist, etc. Someone with formal training and experience with kinesiology/biomechanics and reconditioning exercise.

Treating the issue symptomaticly is like treating pneumonia with cough drops. Yes, the cough drops will help ease your cough and sore throat pain, but it's not curing anything. You need antibiotics in your lungs were the infection is. Putting a heating pad and rubbing knots out of your muscles will provide temporary relief without correcting the reason why it's constantly hurting. If the problem is recurring, treating it symptomaticly will eventually not work anymore.

[Spartacus Maximus]

The shoulder issue is a recurring problem and usually happens some time after the end of training but not every time. It is like continuous tension combined with a feeling of having a weight bearing down. Sort of like having a child sitting on there.

[JR 137]

I'd have it evaluated by a rehab specialist. PT, OT, ATC, Exercise Physiologist, etc. It's impossible to diagnose/assess you on a forum, but you could have had a seemingly insignificant injury a while back that's forced you to alter your mechanics/compensate. More likely, it could be a postural issue that's being exacerbated by activity. Or other things.

You've been treating the symptoms up until now. Seeing a movement and rehab specialist will treat the problem. It could be a quick couple of visits fix, a longer term rehab fix, or even surgical fix. Only one way to find out. None of us are getting any younger. The sooner you take care of it, the sooner it'll get resolved.