Hmmmm

What about weight lifting. Now my PM is right under my collar bone and I heard that can cause some issues with weight lifting. What are these issues, are there work arounds, etc.

BrightLight

7 Comments

weights

by Tracey_E - 2013-10-31 01:10:28

Do you know if yours is higher than usual, or an ordinary sub-clavicle placement? You don't want a bar to sit on your pm or leads, so when you clean the bar look at where the pm is. Some people, esp folks who are very thin, can feel where the leads come out of the pm but most can't. You don't want to pinch the leads with the bar, or put enough weight on the collarbone that it pinches the pm or leads. If it's not in the way, if it's low enough that it doesn't pinch, you should be able to do whatever you want.

Yay

by BrightLightBilly - 2013-11-01 02:11:37

So what if my pacer is higher up and the bar would sit on it if I let it. Can I do lower weights with more reps and just make sure it does not sit on the pm?

Brightlight

never let the bar sit on your pm

by BillMFl - 2013-11-01 04:11:19

I wouldn't let it sit on my chest at all. There's really no need to. Use a spotter if you are lifting heavy. Keep it off your chest at all times and put it up on the rack between sets. Resting the bar on your chest is poor technique even for those without a pm. The power lifters at our gym never leave the bar on their chests between sets. And when they are really going for the burn they use a spotter just in case they can't make the last push.

I may have misunderstood your question

by BillMFl - 2013-11-01 04:11:20

Yes do lower weights and more reps. You didn't say how long its been, but if your incision is healed and you are mostly pain free start with just the bar (45lbs) for a test. Gradually increase the weight but be careful at first. Back off if there is pain. I currently use 30lb dumbbells for presses, lateral raises and flys. 8 to 12 reps. Pain free. You may be a lot younger (I used to bench more than my weight) and are used to heavier weights, but just go easy until you are sure. I sometimes get a little soreness and slight swelling in my left armpit area but only very minor.

me too

by BillMFl - 2013-11-01 12:11:11

My 2nd pm is now located right next to my collar bone and barely under the skin. I can easily feel my leads and the surface of the pm. I now use the wellness center at our hospital 3 or 4 times a week, but limit my weights much lower and just increase the number of reps . If you feel any discomfort at all try less weight and more reps. Forget the macho "no pain no gain". No pain should be your goal.

Hi Tracy

by BillMFl - 2013-11-02 10:11:06

Nice to see you are still on here. Now that I know you know how to "clean a jerk" I'll be sure to behave myself! :)

Bill

by Tracey_E - 2013-11-02 11:11:14

I don't use a a rack unless it's back squats or front squats. I pick the bar up from the floor for everything else, clean it to the chest before squatting or pressing or whatever. The weight of the bar is on my hands but it's still putting pressure on the chest. I would not do this if my pm right was there.

Brightlight, no bar on the pm! Find a way to work around it. Light might be ok but one slip and ouch. Not worth it. Anything else is ok.

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