Ow! Ow! Ow!

[gja1000]

WHEW! My arm HURTS!!! I have had upper arm pain for a year now. I went to the doctor last year and was diagnosed with rotator cuff impingement. This means the rotator cuff was rubbing when I raised my arm, but not torn, so no surgery needed.

I did physical therapy which made it worse. Then I got an injection of cortisone which did not help. Then I went on vacation and it got better, go figure!

Anyway, it has hurt off and on the past few months. I didn't go back to the doctor. A while back someone at work said she went to a chiropractor for the same problem and that it had really helped her. I thought, well maybe I should go too! I put off making the appointment, but finally went today.

The doctor said my shoulder is pretty bad. It was much more painful than I realized. When she put it through the normal range of motion, I had lots of pain and some limited range. I didn't realize it, I guess I just wasn't doing those things. I really didn't think it was bad at all!! I knew it hurt when I did certain things, but didn't realize how bad it was.

I'll be working mostly with the massage therapist for stretching exercises, massage and trigger point therapy. It is VERY PAINFUL, but necessary to get my range of motion back. I have some contracted muscles and ligaments. I knew it wouldn't be pleasant, but when she extended my arm back and held it for 20 seconds, I thought I was going to DIE - and I have a pretty high pain tolerance. I wanted to scream - but I didn't

I have to go in 3 times a week, and she said the therapy would get more intense - oh joy