Upper right back, shoulder and neck pain

[fatchops]

I have been trying so sort my back problem out for 18 months now, I have seen 3 different practitioners but problem not sorted. Have now been referred to an NHS physio by my doctor. He seems nice but am worried that there might be a better option. My right upper back feels like its been concreted into my position and that my neck is bent back on itself. I have severe pain in my upper back, neck up to my ears, shoulder and upper arm ache and headaches in the evening and my muscles feel that they can never relax. When they do there feels like there is a stone deep in the rights side of my upper back that keeping everything else tense and out of position. I saw the physio for the first time on friday and he says that my upper spine is flat and is shouldn't be, he can fit his hands under my shoulder blades and my lower back is curved more that it should. he also says that now I have had the pain more than 6 months that it is termed Chronic and is much more difficult to deal with. How do I know if my spine is like this because of any muscle spasm I may have which may have pulled my spine out of shape, or whether that it is my natural shape that has caused this? It seems a bit chicken and egg to me.
My back feels like I want someone to crack it and knock everything back into place. My physio seems to think stretches and exercises and possibly the use of tens machines will sort it. I have been doing stretches that he gave me since thursday very gently but my back/neck is very painful and throbbing & I've hardly slept for 2 nights. Am I going down the right road do you think? I don't care what it takes I just want to get it sorted permenantly. It the moment I am on anti-inflamatories which are helping with the pain. Would and Osteopath or Chiropractor be the answer and can anyone recommend any good ones in the Surrey or even Middlesex area's.

Many thanks,
SF

[Kevin Bryden]

Hi SF, I would give remedial massage a try. But I guess I would say that!! ;D It sounds to me that someone conversant with soft tissue release would possibly be of great benefit to you. Never really had anything treated successfully by NHS physio's. I'm not saying they aren't any good or anything. I would be very surprised if stretching by itself was effective.

Best of luck SF.

Cheers



Kevin

[biggazfromlincoln]

Agree with Kevin, good quality deep tissue massage from someone with remedial training would be beneficial
BGFL

[Berkshire]

Hi, sorry to hear you are so much trouble. Just a comment, NHS Physiotherapy treatment is 'evidence based', in other words you will get what the NICE propose to be the 'correct' treatment for your 'diagnosed' issue. However, there are as many different forms of treatment provided by individual Physio Practitioners, as there are Physios. You will almost certainly find that there are many independent non NHS Physios close to you who offer all manner of treatment after a sound diagnosis. Many Physios working in the independent sector offer Joint Manipulation, Cranio Sacral Work, Massage / Sports Massage, Myofascial Release, Reflexology, Pilates, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, CBT, plus a host of Energy Medicine processes

Please be mindful that what you have received is advice and exercises from an NHS / State Physio, not what all Physiotherapist practitioners would provide. Check Here or here for an independent provider of Physio / Physical Therapy.

[biggazfromlincoln]

I agree with Berkshire from 25 years of personal experience there does seem to be a vast difference between the private and NHS provision of Physiotherapy, however which ever industry you seek advice or treatment from you will find good or not as good practitioners. This is not always down to practical skills or experience, it can also be down to interpersoanl skills or an empathy or lack of it towards clients. I stick by my advice to seek remedial massage form suitably qualified practitioner who comes recommended from your own friends or family. I recently attended a course and was told by a Physiotherapy graduate that they completed only four hours massage training in their degree course? so ask if they have had additional training in massage.
regards
BGFL

[star99]

Hi everyone,has anyone considered REFLEXOLOGY, it can work wonders,its a holistic treatment and so takes the whole body,mental physical and emotional into consideration.It relates to all imbalances and not just your symptoms