Neck & Arm Pain - Not looking for Medical Advice

milli milli

I'm not sure if I've posted in the right forum but I thought I'd post here because of sports injuries I've had in the past requiring treatment.

I'm not seeking medical advice. Just wondering do I need to see a physio or can I sort this out myself?

Have bad neck pain for about a week - think it's a combination of sleeping in a bad position on 2 separate nights, long hours hunched over computer and a bit of stress.
It's on left hand side. Hurts when I turn neck, but is there most of the time.
Sometimes the pain goes up to my skull - a dull ache pain.
And it also goes down my left arm.

Not sure if it's related but I've got a few twinges on the left side of my bottom.

It sounds like I've trapped a nerve somewhere. I've tried yoga for stretching and applying deep heat but it doesn't seem to be getting better.

Do I need to see a physio or are there other ways to alleviate it?
Thank you

This is still medical advice, I would imagine. If in doubt, go see a doctor.

milli milli

[Deleted User] wrote: »

This is still medical advice, I would imagine. If in doubt, go see a doctor.

I was asking to see if medical help is absolutely necessary - perhaps someone has encountered a similar problem?

To be honest I don't really have the money to just go see a doctor. If it's necessary I'll go to a physio, but if I don't need to go, then I can use that money for something else.

papu

I would work on fixing the poor sleeping and posture when at the computer , it mightnt fix whats wrong now , you probably need professional help with that, but continuing to spend allot of time in poor body positions is only going to make things worse

Oryx

Someone else's problem is not your problem. So even if someone here says a 'fix' they cannot see you, have no clue if its the same problem, and may end up making you worse. You've tried what you know, I think its time to see a physio. Definitely sitting at a keyboard for long stretches can play havoc with your posture, but a physio should be able to show you exercises to allow you to alleviate the weakness long term.

milli milli

Hi everyone
I eventually went to a chiropractor for 5 sessions. He gave me exercises for the pain in bottom - turned out my pelvis was twisted. I have to do exercises everyday to fix that problem.
He was never able to fix the trapezius pain. Whatever he did alleviated it just for a short time. He told me to give up swimming and dancing for the short term so as not to aggravate it.
I was also to be conscious of my posture while sitting, which I am doing. I practise yoga to help with flexibility too.
The pain is still there in trapezius, not as bad though but still there. Can't turn my head too much or it hurts.
I really can't afford to go to doctor so he can refer me to someone else. I just don't have the money. Also there is a few month waiting list which is pointless in this situation
I would go to a physio if I knew they could fix this.
What do people suggest?
I'm just really fed up at this stage. I spent so much money on the chiropractor and while I'm sure he helped me with my pelvis this constant neck pain is driving me spare.

Alf Veedersane

No one can guarantee anyone will fix it. But you can go to a GP and they can refer you or go to a physio and they might suggest the best course of action which may be something like, for example, getting an MRI.

COH

Chiropractors work with the skeletal system, the positioning of which is entirely dependent on the forces acting upon it by the various soft tissues surrounding it.

Unless there is a very specific problem with vertebral alignment, jammed up SI joint or something to that effect they are largely worthless in the long run unless it is done in conjunction with work on these soft tissues.

Chiros love to tell people that they have a twisted pelvis, or that one leg is longer than the other etc but rarely do they elaborate on what causes the underlying problems because they can't really treat them.

Do yourself a favour and go to someone that can offer chiropractic manipulations if necessary, but who will be able to diagnose the actual problem and offer alternate treatment (deep tissue massage, dry needling etc) and give you a clear idea of the nature of the problem AND help you solve it.

Long story short - when all you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail, when all you have is a chiro everything looks like it needs to be cranked into alignment. For what its worth I have a chiro that I see with varying degrees of regularity so I'm not slating the profession, just that they are part of a solution at best.

PM me if you'd like the names of some excellent specialists in the Dublin area that require no GP referral.

milli milli

COH yes I was fed up with all these alignments each session, and they hurt.

Unfortunately I don't live in Dublin otherwise I'd contact you. Would a physio be able to do the same thing?
Thanks