Neck and shoulder pain.

Nina, I have had a frozen shoulder since October, with much the same difficulties in movement as you. My GP says it is a frozen shoulder, and I am due to go for physio next month. She recommended some exercises but they don't seem to be very effective. If I swim, I seem to get relief from it for several hours, but it then comes back with a vengeance. I had one some years ago and had a cortisone injection but it hurt like hell and I don't want another one.

There is a really good book by Brad Walker which gives stretches for all sorts of conditions www.amazon.co.uk/The-Anatomy-Stretching-Illustrated-Rehabilitation/dp/1905367295.

It's very clear and cross references stretches for sports and also injuries. He is a professional and this book is highly recommended. I think you'll find he has things on the internet too.

When I had a frozen shoulder years ago, something called Cranio-sacral therapy helped me. It's a soft manipulative therapy that is better known than it used to be. I have occasional neck and shoulder trouble still and I use a good chiropracter now who also does massage.

Seeing your GP is probably a good idea. I also had an impinged nerve in my neck for a bit and was given good painkilling advice. As someone who teaches exercise, I'd also say be very gentle with yourself and rest a lot!

No, your right Number the ibuprofen is useless. Think I might have to see the other GP see if he's more helpful.

I had a pain in my left arm a couple of days ago and began to panic thinking it might be a heart attack! Then remembered that I had been knitting non-stop for days - so stopped knitting and pain went . Honestly talk about neurotic!!

Perhaps a physiotherapist would be able to help?
I have arthritis in my neck and the physio works wonders when it flares up. Your GP should be able to refer you.

But I bet Ibuprofen doesn`t work for it though, does it Nina? It doesn`t for me, but I think the cortisone injections would, if only I could get them.

I have a painful neck and left shoulder. I have good movement in my shoulder except I can't reach round my back as it really hurts then. If I wear an apron DH has to tie it for me. This isn't frozen shoulder, is it ?
When I mentioned it to GP he just said "It's arthritis" without even examining me and told me to take ibuprofen.

I suffered from frozen shoulder a few years ago, the cortisone injections worked a treat. I`m now getting terrible pain in my neck, don`t know if it`s the same as the frozen shoulder or not, still haven`t managed to mention it at the doctors, as you`re only allowed one complaint per appointment, and I always seem to be there for something else! One day..........hopefully. I`ve often wondered about acupuncture, but don`t know if I could bear seeing those needles going in!

The first one helped enormously, coolgran, so I hope this one's as good. Sorry to hear the injection in your hip hasn't helped much. Surely you should have felt a difference by now?

I can only lie on right shoulder, if I lie on left side the pain is too much. For years. When sitting of an evening I can't lean to the left, only to the right.
With regard to cortisone injections, I had one in my hip about 6 weeks ago without much benefit.
Marelli I hope yours is helping.

My neck creaks and cracks, and won't turn very far round in either direction! I've got a frozen shoulder too, for which I'm having another cortisone injection in a few days. I didn't know that, Brendawymms - that you shouldn't rotate your neck like that (I don't anyway, because I hate the sound of the creaking... !

Whatever you do don't rotate your neck in a circle as that can do more harm than good. Some exercises that involve the arms as well seem a good idea. Perhaps a physio or osteopath can advise.