Just thought I would try to post something that I thought was useful, as I have received such great and useful info from so many of you on here. I know not everyone will agree with this but just remember that knowledge is power, so take it with that intention (believe me, from the amount of posting I do here, no one wants to soak up more knowledge than me!).
Some of you may know that I was experiencing some really bad shoulder pain for about 2-3 months while lifting, for the first time in my life. Anytime I tried to do anything overhead, it just got worse and worse. In the end, I got an MRI and they saw the beginning stages of rotator cuff tendonitus and some slight bicep tendonitus (not even really bad, but still causing this progressive pain - course, I kept working out - duh!). Now, please know, I have been lifting off and on for the last 20 years and have had no restrictions, issues, etc. Then, I turned 40, then 41 and surprise! Your tendons/ligaments actually age with you and many times cannot always take the same kind of workouts we used to throw at them when we were in our 20's and 30's (ah, God, I miss those days!!!!!).
Anyway, I am more committed now, at the age of (soon to be) 42 to my fitness endeavors than ever so I was not going to let this stop me if at all possible. I ended up getting cortisone injections in both my bicep and rotator cuff tendons, did some PT (and continue to do those exercises 1-2 times per week) and I stopped doing overhead presses. That combo was the magic ticket and I have been feeling great and lifting heavy as if nothing had happened.
The reason for my post is this (sorry for the long story leading up to it!): More than one bodybuilding pro/orthopedic surgeon and physical therpist & past professional bodybuilder told me along the way to stop doing OH presses but I thought they were wacked. I mean, it's one of the major delt exercises I do, one of my few solid compound exercises and how the hell else will I put any size onto my delts? Well, I was wrong. Over the last few weeks, I have seen my delts (slowly, mind you) start to carve out more by simply doing a lot of lateral raises (many different forms of them, many different angles) as well as rear delt work with a few sets of incline (45 degree) DB presses (less stress than straight OH presses). I am happy with the results thus far but more importantly, have no shoulder pain at all.
Here is an interesting article that really made sense to me:
[url=http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/blogs/dougbrignole/?p=148]The Case Against Overhead Presses : Doug Brignole – Exercise and Biomechanics[/url]
Just thought it might be helpful for those who have either struggled with shoulder issues in the past or for those young ladies in their 20's and 30's who might want to think about preventing these injuries in the gym. After all, rotator cuff injuries (from tendonitus to actual tears) are the most common weightlifting injury that orthopedic surgeons see, so there might be some sense to this somehow.
Hope you enjoy the article. Will post pix after I am done doing some more leaning out 
Have a great day, ladies!
Cat
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