Problem with my shoulder - who to see?

[1]

I have had a problem with the front of my right shoulder for a few years. I get a dull ache from that area when doing any pushing exercises and it is significantly weaker than the other.

I have started weight training again the problem seems to be getting worse so I have decided to see someone about it but am not sure who would be best.

I can only assume my GP will be useless and give me pain killers.

So my question is would a Chiropractor, Osteopath or Physiotherapist be best?

[Bill]

I'm bound to say physio , but there is a reason for that.

Stability at the shoulder comes from the rotator cuff muscles (in other joints it's the ligaments) which need exercises to improve their function. Generally chiropractors won't give you exercises to do, osteos might give you some and physios definitely will.



http://www.physiofirst.org.uk/ is the private physio organisation with a handy "find a physio" bit.

[M400 NBL]

Without a doubt, see a physio.

I went to A&E last Thursday after hearing a big pop and feeling a lot of pain as I was about to do another deadlift.

Both the Doctor at the hospital and my GP said it was my gluteus maximus [sp] the first doctor gave me pain killers and anti inflammatory tablets, my GP offered me the same.

Today I went to a see a physiotherapist through work and found out that, although my left glute (buttock)was very painful, it's my back that's the problem.

Acupuncture in my left glute and some electrodes on my back, and the pain was eased considerably. The only possitive of the severe pain was she could whack the electrodes to maximum.

She also gave me a crutch. Both doctors watched me struggle to walk, holding onto anything I could as I was leaving.

I'm going to see my doctor again for a sick note, but won't trust him again with an injury. I had shoulder injury a few years ago and his advice was to stretch my shoulder. After months of it getting no better he referred me to a specialist (I had private health then) , who sent me for an MRI scan. Turns out I had a fracture, and stretching was opening and closing the fracture!

Even if you have to pay to see a physio once, I would say do it. You'll end up spending more than the fee on prescription pain killers anyway.

Good luck with it.

[1]

Thought I would give an update.

Went to see a physio and was given some exercises to do which seem to have sorted it.

Thanks for the advice.

[LordGrover]

OP. Good news - thanks for update.


As a matter of interest, I'm a little lop-sided IYSWIM. My left shoulder is noticeably lower than my right and is not as strong and has a 'different' range of movement. Is it as I assumed something I have to live with or is it worth a visit to a physiotherapist or similar?
I'm guessing I was born like it or maybe I had an injury as a child and forgot all about it.

[Bill]

It's quite common to find one shoulder sits higher than the other (it's usually the dominant side) but stiffness and weakness are more likely to be signs of injury so it's probably worth getting it checked out.

OTOH you are quite old

[1]

LordGrover said:

OP. Good news - thanks for update.


As a matter of interest, I'm a little lop-sided IYSWIM. My left shoulder is noticeably lower than my right and is not as strong and has a 'different' range of movement. Is it as I assumed something I have to live with or is it worth a visit to a physiotherapist or similar?
I'm guessing I was born like it or maybe I had an injury as a child and forgot all about it.

Similar to the problem I had. Over the years it developed into a rotator cuff injury and meant I was using my chest to compensate for my weaker shoulder.

For the sake of £35 I would recommend seeing a physio.

[wakster]

1 said:

LordGrover said:

For the sake of £35 I would recommend seeing a physio.

Is 35 quid the going rate? I landed quite heavily on just my shoulder during a rugby match a fortnight ago and while the pain has eased I still suffer weakness in a few situations and I can't sleep on it. Nurse fobbed me off with rotator cuff injury and ibuprofen

[samdale]

1 said:

LordGrover said:

OP. Good news - thanks for update.


As a matter of interest, I'm a little lop-sided IYSWIM. My left shoulder is noticeably lower than my right and is not as strong and has a 'different' range of movement. Is it as I assumed something I have to live with or is it worth a visit to a physiotherapist or similar?
I'm guessing I was born like it or maybe I had an injury as a child and forgot all about it.

Similar to the problem I had. Over the years it developed into a rotator cuff injury and meant I was using my chest to compensate for my weaker shoulder.

For the sake of £35 I would recommend seeing a physio.

i tore the top of my left trap over a year ago and its only really healed now. went to my GP and got the usual "ibuprofen for 6 weeks" response. went back around 3 months later with it still giving me grief and got referred to an NHS physio. had to wait another 3 months for an appointment mind but had several ultrasound therapy and massage treatments and they were all free

[1]

wakster said:

1 said:

LordGrover said:

For the sake of £35 I would recommend seeing a physio.

Is 35 quid the going rate? I landed quite heavily on just my shoulder during a rugby match a fortnight ago and while the pain has eased I still suffer weakness in a few situations and I can't sleep on it. Nurse fobbed me off with rotator cuff injury and ibuprofen

£35 seems to be the going rate for 30 min appointment in the south east. Alternatively you can wait for NHS referral as mentioned above.