Could use some shoulder pain advice.

[fleckbass]

I've had a pinched nerve type of pain, on the inside of the left shoulder blade, on and off for 7-8 years. Think it started from bench pressing and paddling has made it reoccur throughout the years. This year I decided it was time to get it checked out.

Went to an orthopedic surgeon and right away they said it was the neck causing a reffered pain. I had my doubts. So, I got an MRI of the neck. I also insisted on an MRI of the shoulder. The MRI of the shoulder was of the rotator. My pain was in the specula area. The MRI of the neck showed the discs between C5-C6 and C6-C7 to be bulging and pressing on the nerve. Doctor stated that this is causing my pain. Shoulder MRI showed inflamation in AC joint. I was given a cortisone shot for this. Don't notice a difference. Doctor stated I could have some issues in specula also. Therapy was prescribed.

Between the doctor pushing down on my head to examine me and 3 sessions of therapy, I am now quite evident that I have a neck problem that I never knew existed. Before seeing the doctor and therapy, I had the nerve pain in the specula area, ocassional numbness in hand while sleeping and neck just started to get a little stiff before doctor visit.

Now, things are way worse! Neck got real stiff after doctor pushed down on my head. Therapist tried heat, e-stim, massage, trigger points, spinal manipulation, some exercises and traction. The first couple of visits I thought therapy may help. Massage and trigger points seemed to be best.

Saw a surgeon. He suggested epidural steriod shots in neck before surgery. I decide to try therapy for awhile. After therapist saw MRI, before third visit, he said traction would be the only thing that would help.

Third visit was bad! They put heat on lower back, where I also have disc issues and tried traction. I did not return. Traction seems barbaric to me. This made things way worse. After this, I have nerve pains on both sides, neck and lower back.

I am in the process of seeing a new chiropractor now. The office has a huge reputation of chiropractic and alternative medicine. During my evaluation, Chiropractor couldn't believe the therapist manipulated my spine.

Words of advice:

Start with least extreme treatment. MRI is good to show what is going on. Make your own judgement on what is and will help you.

Another concern of mine is the "on-sidedness" of canoeing. I've noticed the strain on my neck when making certain moves.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

[pmp]

I'm with ELI on this topic. (the theracane is for muscle trigger spots, not disc or bone stuff, excuse the technical terms) i've had huge success with the theracane. I used to have chronic stiff neck, shoulder pain. Yes did the chiro, massage, physio thing... all of which worked but I had to keep going back. i use the theracane regularly now and have cut my visits to chiro down to a couple every year or two.
This is the reason I started selling them, well that and my buddies were always borrowing it on road trips, so now they have their own.
paul

[phreon]

Thought I'd post an update:

I saw my Orthopedic specialist over several weeks and he's convinced that my issues are neither neck nerve related or rotator cuff issues. However, I didn't make sufficient progress between visits and prescribed PT, the session of which I went to today. Both my Ortho and PT specialist are focusing on soft tissue damage in my trapezius and scapular muscles with swelling pressing on nerves in my shoulder.

I've been given a range of stretches to perform and a strict regimen of heat and cold with orders to avoid strain, just gentle stretching. Later, when the swelling and pain has subsided, we'll switch to strength training.

It looks like years of stress and damage have come to a head which landed me where I am. I've plum run out of invincibility.

Doug