I have finally managed to get to see a physiotherapist and have a diagnosis.
It looks like the problem probably began with the tendon on my right bicep, but it has now turned into a full-fledged rotator cuff problem (well spotted, Farah) that I need to deal with (or my shoulder will seize up). I have treatment advice, and exercises to do. I have purchased a packet of frozen peas as medical equipment, and I’m now off into town to look for a wheat pack (which can usefully double as a bed warmer). Progress!
The good news is that I haven’t been warned off the computer, just told to keep to short stints and do treatment and exercises in between. This is a great relief.
The bad news is that once again I am having to pay for my medical treatment, because the NHS can’t/won’t provide it.
Ouch! Take it easy, and feel better soon *hugs*
Oh, sauna, tar and vodka would be needed now. And a proper Finnish massage.
A massage is exactly what I need.
Ack. OK, well, half the battle is the diagnosis. Now you just have to focus on getting better.
Personally, I have found that looking at silly animals speeds my recovery, so I popped outside and took a picture of a funny looking chicken for you. What, that’s not a standard treatment method? Hmm… it’s always worked for me….
Hm. I thought the symptoms sounded familiar. It’s important to do the exercises. They sometimes seem annoyingly small and pointless, but they make all the difference. And don’t ever, for any reason, lift something you’re not cleared to lift with the affected arm. (It’s hard to remember. I spent a year and a half swooping down to keep my husband from putting suitcases in the trunk of the car. Even small weights, like a gallon of milk, can do damage if lifted quickly above shoulder height.) All the best.
Doing the exercises is no problem. The important thing is knowing the right exercises to do. And indeed that exercises are required, rather than rest. Which is why I am pleased to have talked to an expert.
Indeed. Which is why I strongly suggested seeing a PT in my comment to your original post. The exercises may not seem problematic now. Based on my husband’s experience, as the pain eases, the exercises can seem less necessary. They aren’t.
Fortunately some of the exercises are already part of my standard Pilates routine, which I have been afraid to do for the past few weeks in case I would be making things worse rather than better. Some of the yoga exercises on the Wii would help as well.
I’m glad to hear you’ve had some success with the physio. You just need to keep up with the exercises and look after it now. The best way to do this is to build it into your routine, as noted above, so you can look forward to becoming extra bendable (in the best possible way) with all the pilates you’ll be doing ;-).
You might also benefit from some nutritional support for joints/tendons. This means glucosamine (and chrondroitin). The glucosamine on its own works for some folks, but I find I need the chrondroitin as well (pricier). For good quality supplements at much lower than high street prices, I go to http://www.healthspan.co.uk (and do a google search first for healthspan vouchers).