Long standing injury with it’s genesis in '91 preparing for The Great Floridian. Crossing midline, thumb down/palm out and using paddles/buoys. All the things one would to if they were TRYING to screw up their shoulder. Going on 20 years now I have re-injured it more times than I care to remember. Tennis and fly fishing are two other passions which have led to re-tweaking. Had radiographic images taken years ago, but nothing remarkable which is good. Lot’s of talented massage therapists have worked on it as well…some with success.
By many accounts it seems I have a very typical injury to my delt which impinges on my biceps tendon. If I point my thumb to the ground it triggers the delt region and when it’s really bad it radiates down my bicep. Doing bicep curls of any kind triggers the delt area too.
Any ideas on where and how I can work on this myself? I’m considering gong to one of these ART Active Release guys, but have heard mixed reviews from some people locally on a myriad of different injuries.
I do all the stretches I can find online for delts and some massage therapy and have a several times through a good strengthening program, but she still rears the ugly head.
Any ideas or new therapies I may not have heard of?
Wiff - with the thumb pointed to the ground, the arm parallel to the ground, pushing up stresses the supraspinatus muscle, one of the 4 components of the rotator cuff. This test is often positive when a cuff tear is present. Getting it checked by some one who does that for a living may be beneficial before embarking on further stretching.
Darn, I have had this injury for such a long time it doesn’t surprise me. Will go get it looked at.
Are there any ways to get around surgical repair or is it pretty much a must do to get full function back? Just looking for a friendly internet guess…not trying to hold you to anything.
actually, even with a cuff tear, the vast majority of people do well without surgery; but you do need appropriate therapy directed at what is actually going on. your biceps may be involved, but as dr post alluded to, there are several other things in the shoulder that can cause pain in the front. you should get seen by an orthopaedist who will check you out and may or may not want an mri based on your exam. internet quarterbacking isn’t the most reliable diagnostic tool. 
rest assured, few surgeons are going to try to talk you into shoulder surgery unless you have a very discreet, fixable problem; most people can get appropriate therapy, change the techniques that are causing the problem, and use nsaids and rest as needed to get back to what they want to do.
I think Orthogirl has given you a nice review of the conservative options.
You mention that you have done strength work before but no mention of if you are doing it now.
If you are looking for things to do on your own, that is the easiest one. Get the list of things the physical therapist had you doing last time you saw one for this.
Swimming is largely an exercise of your pec major and pec minor. Strengthening the groups on the other side of your shoulder is important. In my own case, mid and low traps is a key to staying healthy.