I just read the bicep tendonitist thread and its not it.
Right in my shoulder, everytime I try to make my shoulder go in a 360 degree motion a tendon or something clicks, it causes me pain after bench pressing, so pre strecthing is a must. Does anyone else have this problem? Can it lead to serious problems?

If the pain is there it may be time to see an Doctor (ooops)!

The shoulder does not do a 360 degree motion..and if you ARE doing that..STOP!!
No wonder it hurts!

Pre-stretching is not a must (except dynamic stretching after warming up...as later discussed)...do not stretch a cold muscle.  Stretching RELAXES a muscle and if you lift heavy after RELAXING a muscle...you run the risk of injury.

This is a rotator thing IMHO.

I will link you to a Rotator Cuff warm up...which you do before and after EVERY WORKOUT that you will touch a weight with your hands for ANY REASON!

Next...if there is pain you need to take a rest until the pain is COMPLETELY GONE!

First read this:
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Rehabilitation_exercises_for_rotator_cuff_injury/m_60416/tm.htm

THEN

Download the attachment at the top of this post!
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Shoulders_-_Rotator_Cuff/m_275/tm.htm#

When you return to exercises..those are the ones you will do!

Good luck!

Actually, the shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. It is the only joint in the body that has the capability of 360 degree movement. And in a healthy shoulder, this is the norm.
 
While Cuff tears/damage is very common, this arent the only reason that shoulders 'hurt inside'.
 
No need to bother an ortho with this just yet. Protect the shoulder from further stress and organise with your GP to get an ultrasound/MRI (depending on what you can afford i.e. if you have private health insurance etc).
 
Who knows - a simple x-ray could reveal a acromial spur that is causing impingement?
 
First step - stop aggravating it.
Second step - get it examined by a doctor.

Thanks for the distinction Lynx.

I did mean to type Doctor not ortho but was going too fast while distracted!
 
AS for the shoulder range of motion:
In the transverse (horizontal) plane it is actually 175 degrees of extension adduction and abduction
In the sagital plane (rotated from directly overhead to the front and down to the back) it is 240 degrees.
In the frontal plane (like a propelor accross the frontof the body) it is 255 degrees.
 

I know that you knew what you meant.
 
Just clarifying incase MDE42K got confused.

...and I always appreciate being corrected!
 
Especially if I am incorrect!
 
Thanks Lynx!

hello.  i'm hoping that someone can help me with a shoulder problem that's been bothering me for quite some time now.  i'm now 25 and i first started noticing impingement in my left shoulder when i was 22.  it wasn't bad, it just felt that my left shoulder couldn't "last" as long as my right, and i usually only felt it the last few reps of a set. 

fast forward to Aug 06 and it really started to bother me.  the weakness that i felt at the end of sets was now more of a painful feeling and thus after talking to a doc i decided to stop lifting altogether.  he recommended RC external/internal strengthening excercises, BUT i didn't stick to the plan. 

it is now Jan 07.  I've been doing my RC excercises religiously for the past 5 weeks.  i started at 3 sets of 15, and now am at 3 x 25.  i did a chest workout today for the first time in a year, very light.  however, i'm still feeling that weakness feeling.  i definately feel that the exercises have helped, as i don't feel pain when i sleep on the shoulder at night anymore.  but i still am feeling that weakness when i lift.  WHAT SHOULD I DO??? would it be wise to just take another month off and stick to the RC excercises before starting to lift again?  or can i still do light workouts while continuing to do the RC exercises?  has anyone out there had chronic impingement?  how long did it take you to get back into the gym and lift without any pain?  any advice would be much appreciated as this problem has been frustrating me for far too long.  Thanks

I don't know if it is the same as mine, but the description is the same.
 
I first stopped exercising and when appropriate I started doing therapeautic movement until there was NO more pain.
 
Keep in mind, I used ice every day after movement or any instance of pain, I used nutrition for lowering inflamation, I used herbs and supplements...
 
After 6 weeks I started lifting again...always doing warm ups, RC movements, very light lifting with higher reps...I progressed very slowly.
 
Also...I corrected all postural distortions (an ongoing task) so the cycle of injury was not as likely.
I also insured that all movements were following the correct motion, ie that all movements were done correctly/safely!
 
I did therapeautic movement post exercise as well as ice after cooling down.
 
In many years...I have done stupid things...such as lift too heavy or wrestle when not properly warmed up..and have reinjured the shoulder.
 
I repeat the above with variations and am always able to return to full, pain-free use.
 
I would like to mention what Lynx has said in other posts...
 
R.I.P.E.R
Rest
Ice
Protect
Evaluate
Rehabilitate

Do look this over, some good info...
First read this:
http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/Rehabilitation_exercises_for_rotator_cuff_injury/m_60416/tm.htm