I had a shoulder impingement about three or four weeks ago. When I tried to put on a shirt or coat something got caught under my shoulder bone (acromion) and my arm got stuck until felt a sharp pain and the crack of it releasing. Not a good sign.
When I looked it up the consensus seemed to be it wasn’t something to mess around with, getting it looked at sooner rather than later could prevent serious damage. It’s often caused by overuse of the arm and shoiulder, but in my case nothing in my life has changed except I stopped doing flexibility exercises for my shoulders a few months ago. So this made sense to me:
Physical therapy
Shoulder impingement usually responds well to physical therapy, which uses gentle exercises to rebuild strength and range of motion. Your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist who specializes in shoulder injuries.
Your physical therapy sessions will likely focus on the muscles in your shoulder, arm, and chest, which can help to improve the function of your rotator cuff. If you’re an athlete or work in a field that requires frequent use of your shoulder, your physical therapist can teach you proper techniques to reduce your chance of recurrence.
They may also give you some exercises that you can do at home, which may help you recover faster. Just make sure you don’t overdo it.
So I phoned my doctor and asked for a referral to a physical therapist so I could find out what exercises were safe to do. Instead of a referral they made an appointment for me to see the doctor, but said if it was urgent to go to their walk-in clinic. I decided to wait the week or so for the doctor and in the meantime looked up exercises for keeping shoulders healthy. They seemed to make things better rather than worse, so I figured I was on the right track. I also made an appointment to see a trainer at the Y who gave me some more suggestions.
By the time I saw the doctor a couple of weeks ago it was already getting better, but I took the referral for the therapist figuring it wouldn’t hurt to get even more information.
By the time I saw him Monday the problem had disappeared — it had completely gone away over the weekend — but he checked my shoulder and said it was in good shape. He said my range of motion lifting my arm overhead wasn’t as good as it could be so gave me some things to try. Needless to say, that was reassuring and made me happy, so it was worth the wait and the trip.
Again, I’m so grateful for all the information available to us now. We don’t have to sit around feeling helpless.
December 4, 2019
I’m SO glad it’s better and almost well. and that you still got the physical therapist to advise and work with if you need it to prevent more of it in the future! yes. the internet is a really wonderful thing for learning about ourselves!
I don’t think doctors are quite as impressed as we are. maybe they don’t like us knowing things! too bad. in today’s world it’s almost a necessary security.
I love this!
The fact that you took charge of your health and did research and took steps to take care of yourself… yes! I love it!
I completely agree, I’m very grateful for all the information that’s right at our fingertips. We are no longer at the mercy of doctors who thought they were god-like and knew it all and we dare not question them.
Yes, very grateful!
Xoxoxo
I think my GP is OK with our being informed. In some cases she has encouraged me to do my own research. That’s why I like her!
I’m with you, Cindi, about godlike doctors who don’t want to be questioned. I figure my doctor and I are a team that is trying to keep me healthy. I also think she appreciates that I do my part with exercise and a healthy diet.
Dr. Google really does deliver some good information if you pay attention to where he sends you. Glad your shoulder in doing better.
Thanks. 🙂
That is so good that you were able to get the right information…and I think it is good that you saw the therapist in addition. Physical therapists are wonderful people.
I just wish they were easier to see. Here you can’t make an appointment without a doctor’s referral. A lot of the information I got from the internet was by PTs, so bless them for spreading their knowledge.
I also appreciate that the PT I saw was able to do some tests to check my shoulder. That’s something you can’t get by reading.
Well that’s good that you were able to find the information online and find something that worked while waiting to see the doctor.
It really helps to be able to do something constructive.
That sounds like the perfect blend of self care and medical care. I’m glad your pain is gone.
Thanks. I’m also glad I saw the physical therapist because he checked my shoulder and said it was in good shape. I believe in exercise but don’t want to do something foolish.
well right now, some of you know what I think of the medical wprld gone MAD and although I’m over that particular woman specialist, Im think it’s time to take a stand on one particular matter…
on the other hand feeling good on your progress…
Being able to do our own research makes it a lot easier to take a stand. I’m grateful for that.