Can anyone give me an idea of what this is?
About 4 weeks ago I started having sharp shooting pains in my right shoulder (along side of spine roughly level with middle/lower scapula). It wasn't there constantly but there'd be a sharp pain when moving sometimes, though I haven't been able to pin down exactly which movements cause it. Sometimes stretching as if reaching for something, other times I've been sat at my desk and just moved my head to the left and it's happened.
I assumed it was just one of those things and that it would go away. It wasn't bothering me that much.
I am currently exercising regularly with a personal trainer and discussed it with her. We agreed that as none of the exercises I was doing was painful that it was probably ok to continue, but that I would stop any exercise that caused the pain - none did.
Last week the pain started to get more constant, more of a constant awareness of the pain still with the sharp pains sometimes when moving. Then I noticed that my right arm has started to ache and from the tip of my little finger down to the wrist was permanently tingly with a slight numbness.
My GP moved my arm around a lot and said it wasn't that bad cos I still have a lot of movement, though I pointed out that it's not that I can't move, it's that it's painful when I do. He suggested it might be tendonitis and said take regular Ibuprofen for 2 weeks.
The next day I saw a sports/remedial massage therapist who did a lot of work round my shoulder and arm and it was very painful. The next two days I was really sore and the whole area was tender to touch - I couldn't even drive because the seatbelt touching my shoulder was too painful. I was (and am) still taking the Ibuprofen but it wasn't touching the pain. Today the soreness has gone but the original pain is still definitely there. Plus I've noticed today that as well as my little finger and side of the hand being tingly/numb, it's spreading to the next finger too.
My colleagues (nurses) say it sounds more like a trapped nerve than tendonitis. The massage therapist said she didn't find anything obvious during the treatment. I've stopped doing any exercising that involves the arms just to be on the safe side.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Ali
Specialised service. Afraid it won't come cheap. 🙂
V
Specialised service. Afraid it won't come cheap. 🙂
V
Especially after taking the originator's cut into consideration.
My logo...:dft002:
Well I had my first physio session today - they rang and asked if I could get along there in 30 mins as they had a cancellation. As I work in the next building it was no problem.
I'm trying not to feel disappointed about the session: she took quite a detailed consultation and I told her exactly how it feels and all the different sensations, etc, to try to give a complete picture. She got me to move my arm in different ways, and then while laying face down on the couch she pressed either side of my spine. She said my spine was tight but didn't say what the problem was. I asked if it was a trapped nerve and she said she didn't like that phrase. She just said that she thinks a nerve in my neck is being aggravated and that's what's causing the shoulder/arm pain, etc.
She gave me two exercises to do: pulling my chin in to bring my head in correct alignment rather than jutted out, and pulling my scapulae back and down.
I'm going back for further session on Wed.
Like I say I'm trying not to be disappointed. I certainly didn't expect someone to wave a magic wand and for it to disappear, but I thought I'd actually get some treatment, rather than just be told to adopt correct posture. But then I've never had physio before, so maybe my expectations were unrealistic.
On the metaphysical topic that's been going on here too, I was reading yesterday that anger is often stored around the neck and shoulders. Around the time the pain started I was very angry towards someone at work who I felt had let me down badly. I haven't expressed the anger and it still bothers me. I wonder if there's anything in that.
Ali
Hi Ali,
Sounds like you're very disappointed. I have pm'd you.
Cheers
Hi Ali
Well I'm going to the chiropractor on Thursday so I'll report back on that. (When I made the appointment I was a little taken aback because he seems really really young. I'm wondering whether that means new and very conscientious or new and not very experienced. We shall see.)
I also have been carrying some suppressed anger and frustration...interesting.
Hope your second physio is more effective for you.
xxx
Hi again
I'm just back from the chiropractor who seemed very efficient, in spite of looking about 12!!! His assessment was very thorough and he found all the sore points with no problems. Also told me that I have one leg considerably shorter than the other and a tilted pelvis (I knew that already!) He is going to put all his conclusions together for my next appointment in a week but he did apply some muscle relaxant gel (very cold) and worked on my arm and lo and behold it was already more mobile and less painful by the end of the treatment. I am confident that he will be able to help me and will go on seeing him.
xxx
That all sounds very positive, Sunanda. I hope the improvements continue.
I had my second Physio yesterday where she gave me two more exercises: one waving and one swinging the arm from elbow with hand in a cupping position. She said she didn't give these exercises on Monday cos she didn't want to overwhelm me - hmm, I think I can cope with 4 simple exercises.
I went to GP for follow-up and saw a different one this time. He gave me Tramadol to help cope with the pain, and it is helping. I'm not climbing the walls with the pain anymore, but I am a bit drowsy, but that's not a problem.
Well, let's hope we're both on the road to recovery, ali! I don't think mine was ever as bad as yours though. I'm now doing a yoga class, a Pilates class and swimming twice a week - it's spurred me into keeping my body a bit fitter.
xxx
Well I had my first physio session today - they rang and asked if I could get along there in 30 mins as they had a cancellation. As I work in the next building it was no problem.
I'm trying not to feel disappointed about the session: she took quite a detailed consultation and I told her exactly how it feels and all the different sensations, etc, to try to give a complete picture. She got me to move my arm in different ways, and then while laying face down on the couch she pressed either side of my spine. She said my spine was tight but didn't say what the problem was. I asked if it was a trapped nerve and she said she didn't like that phrase. She just said that she thinks a nerve in my neck is being aggravated and that's what's causing the shoulder/arm pain, etc.
She gave me two exercises to do: pulling my chin in to bring my head in correct alignment rather than jutted out, and pulling my scapulae back and down.
I'm going back for further session on Wed.
Like I say I'm trying not to be disappointed. I certainly didn't expect someone to wave a magic wand and for it to disappear, but I thought I'd actually get some treatment, rather than just be told to adopt correct posture. But then I've never had physio before, so maybe my expectations were unrealistic.
On the metaphysical topic that's been going on here too, I was reading yesterday that anger is often stored around the neck and shoulders. Around the time the pain started I was very angry towards someone at work who I felt had let me down badly. I haven't expressed the anger and it still bothers me. I wonder if there's anything in that.
Ali
That sounds pretty much standard to me - I'll just refer you to this part of my post. I could have quite happily given you wall angel exercises over the interweb as they're a standard catch-all exercise, not specific to any problem (the sort that about 98% of the adult population could benefit from).
To Ali_Jane, having read your 2nd post now; I'd say it sounds most like a C7-8 disk injury with C8 radiculopathy. Chiro/Osteo/physio should all be able to help, but physio will rely on being seen often enough, and them being willing to do things to you, not just giving you exercises.
Hi again
I'm just back from the chiropractor who seemed very efficient, in spite of looking about 12!!! His assessment was very thorough and he found all the sore points with no problems. Also told me that I have one leg considerably shorter than the other and a tilted pelvis (I knew that already!) He is going to put all his conclusions together for my next appointment in a week but he did apply some muscle relaxant gel (very cold) and worked on my arm and lo and behold it was already more mobile and less painful by the end of the treatment. I am confident that he will be able to help me and will go on seeing him.
xxx
I take it from that, that he didn't want to commit to a diagnosis straight away? It's not uncommon to work that way, but I personally prefer to treat straight away as the norm.
I also wouldn't have any problems about his age; he'll have done the 4-5 years at uni, and a new graduate has greater knowledge than experienced practitioners, and more up-to-date treatment methods and options; but less confidence and polish to the proceedures yet. I can only think of 1-2 people who left uni not-yet-fit-to-practice (IMO).
I take it from that, that he didn't want to commit to a diagnosis straight away? It's not uncommon to work that way, but I personally prefer to treat straight away as the norm.
I also wouldn't have any problems about his age; he'll have done the 4-5 years at uni, and a new graduate has greater knowledge than experienced practitioners, and more up-to-date treatment methods and options; but less confidence and polish to the proceedures yet. I can only think of 1-2 people who left uni not-yet-fit-to-practice (IMO).
Well he certainly didn't give me a diagnosis. But I still think it's to do with using the laptop too much. I had thought that being fairly newly qualified (2003) he would probably be particularly conscientious and also up to date. Equally important was the fact that I liked him a lot and trusted him and that I came out feeling better than when I went in.
xxx
glad all is going well, how important that you found a therapsit you like and trust, its half the battle,
regards
Gaz
hi, i wounder if anyone can give some advice..
i have been having major problems over the past 5 weeks with my shoulder and kneck. the pain is like whiplash, however the pain has now gone down my right arm with pins and needles in my fingers. The pain is more uncomfotable than anything and hurts more at night ie cant get to sleep unless i have pain killers. I have been the doctors who has refered me to have physio, however 2 weeks on and still waiting.:(
i do alot of mouse work through work and this seems to make it worse. My right arm " stiffens up"?? any ideas what this is pls? thx
:hippy:Hello Motty.
I CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM BECAUSE I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, THAT CAUSED MINE I HAD TO HAVE AN OPERATION ON MY SHOULDER TO SOLVE THE PAIN,
IT COULD BE A TRAPPED NERVE. CAUSING YOUR PAIN PHISIO DOES TAKE A WHILE TO COME THROUGH. BUT PUT A LAVENDER BAG, WHICH YOU HEAT UP ON IT THAT SHOULD GIVE YOU SOME COMFORT.
TAKE CARE
Hi Motti
That is such a common problem seen these days in massage therapy practices!
The fact of sitting down in the same position for hours using the same repetitive movements with the same arm often cause the symptoms you describe. And there are many people with the same problem.
In general, when using the mouse, most of us tend to use the upper traps and other muscles of the upper part of the shoulder and neck too, mostly without realising. What this does is a continued contracture that causes your shoulder to be closer to your ear.
As these structures keep contracted all the time as a subconsciious habit probably, nerves can easily get compressed causing neuralgic symptoms such as pins and needles, shooting pain, numbness, etc.
SOLUTION: Give a holiday to that arm. It deserves it! Learn to use the mouse with your other hand. It seems difficult the first attempts but soon you'll get the hang of it. I have done it and so have some of my clients.
And have some therapy. Start with deep tissue remedial massage. Find a therapist with a good background and experience in myofascial release techniques (not the excruciatingly painful ones though!)
Don't worry. It generally goes away if you deal with it the right way.
Good luck!
M
A new trick from an old sea dog...
Ok chaps, listen up and I'll give you some info that might just work for your shoulder problems. This was shown to me by one of the doctors on a cruise ship I was Security Officer on. I went to him because I had most if not all of the symptoms you have all described and it was causing me a lot of nuisance rather than any extreme pain. it was caused by me leaning on my desk typing at the pc and having my shoulders too relaxed. More of a slump than an upright position and all the weight of my upper body going on to my shoulders, especially the right one.
Sorry, I'm rambling a little. So, I went to the doc and he got me to stand in front of a wall with my palm facing it with the fingers pointing straight up. He got me to push forward to flatten my palm on the wall at the same time. Then he told me to turn my palm first as far to the left as I could and then as far to the right as possible all the time keeping all your weight on the palm. Really guys, it stopped hurting almost instantly, I'm not kidding! It comes back from time to time because I have to use the computer so much in my job, but just 2 minutes of the above treatment works to clear it up.
It may not work for you as quickly as it did for me but please try it, eh?
Bob
pseudo health advice?
There are people here with some real pain and you fly in here with that positive outlook crap what planet are you on?
Im gonna guess you work in homeopathy because that about the only usless medical practice i can see retard speak like this coming from.
A new trick from an old sea dog...
Ok chaps, listen up and I'll give you some info that might just work for your shoulder problems. This was shown to me by one of the doctors on a cruise ship I was Security Officer on. I went to him because I had most if not all of the symptoms you have all described and it was causing me a lot of nuisance rather than any extreme pain. it was caused by me leaning on my desk typing at the pc and having my shoulders too relaxed. More of a slump than an upright position and all the weight of my upper body going on to my shoulders, especially the right one.
Sorry, I'm rambling a little. So, I went to the doc and he got me to stand in front of a wall with my palm facing it with the fingers pointing straight up. He got me to push forward to flatten my palm on the wall at the same time. Then he told me to turn my palm first as far to the left as I could and then as far to the right as possible all the time keeping all your weight on the palm. Really guys, it stopped hurting almost instantly, I'm not kidding! It comes back from time to time because I have to use the computer so much in my job, but just 2 minutes of the above treatment works to clear it up.
It may not work for you as quickly as it did for me but please try it, eh?
Bob
hi Bob thanks for posting this - it actually works brilliantly! It wasn't quite instant though there was some immediate improvement so I did it again the next day and it's so much better and I can now raise my arm again. Don't know if you'll see this as it's 6 years on but most grateful to you!
p's my granddad was an old sea dog too!