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Stiffness And Discomfort In Right Shoulder And Neck. What To Do ?
About a week ago I noticed a stiffness and discomfort in my right shoulder and righ side of neck, depending how i position myself the pain/discomfort goes down to my right elbow. I am able to do most activities, however sitting or standing causes me much discomfort. This has happened in the past and typically goes away. However, as I grow older the pain/discomfort stays longer. A little over a year ago I went to the doctor and they had me do PT - this helped, but I think it may have ran its corse as well - they never figured out the cause - stating that I may have a pinched nerve or I may have strained something (never did MRI or xray) - I have since switched insurances and haven't chosen a new doctor and I want to get some options before choosing one (I have an HMO and am researching the doctors in network now b/c I want to find a good one to stay with for a while)... any suggestions on what to do? So far I've been sitting/standing in ways to eliveate the pain/discomfort and taking ibeprofin when it gets bad
Mon, 8 Apr 2013
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
What you are experiencing is called 'Radiculopathy'. It basically suggests entrapment of a nerve root in your cervical spine in its origin or course.
It can be caused by lifting weights, episodes of over-exertion during work, long hours on computer, inappropriate posture while sleeping or sitting, lack of proper nutrition-exercises-rest-recreation or any other relevant past medical history.
If it has been persistent or even increasing since few days, you need to visit your orthopaedician. Depending upon the clinical findings they might ask you to get an MRI done, which shall help establish a diagnosis and in turn allow one to formulate a treatment plan.
Hope this helps you
Wishing you good health...
Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.
Thanks for writing to us.
What you are experiencing is called 'Radiculopathy'. It basically suggests entrapment of a nerve root in your cervical spine in its origin or course.
It can be caused by lifting weights, episodes of over-exertion during work, long hours on computer, inappropriate posture while sleeping or sitting, lack of proper nutrition-exercises-rest-recreation or any other relevant past medical history.
If it has been persistent or even increasing since few days, you need to visit your orthopaedician. Depending upon the clinical findings they might ask you to get an MRI done, which shall help establish a diagnosis and in turn allow one to formulate a treatment plan.
Hope this helps you
Wishing you good health...
Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.
I find this answer helpful
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Usually such pains are elicited by sprain & strain, trauma, bad posture,inflammation of muscles or tendons, pinched nerves or bony spurs. You should avoid the movements that cause pain and rest your shoulder for few days before starting routine activities. Icing the pain area for 15 to 20 min , 3 time daily for 3 days can reduce pain, ibuprofen you are taking is also helpful.Physical therapy is useful and you should use a sling or shoulder immobilizer. In some cases corticosteroid shots are also needed.
To prevent shoulder pain in future you should exercise daily, if you are obese then reduce your weight, take healthy diet and add vitamin C and bioflavonoids to diet.
You should get X-ray and MRI to get detailed picture.
Hope it helps.
Take Care!
Thanks for posting your query.
Usually such pains are elicited by sprain & strain, trauma, bad posture,inflammation of muscles or tendons, pinched nerves or bony spurs. You should avoid the movements that cause pain and rest your shoulder for few days before starting routine activities. Icing the pain area for 15 to 20 min , 3 time daily for 3 days can reduce pain, ibuprofen you are taking is also helpful.Physical therapy is useful and you should use a sling or shoulder immobilizer. In some cases corticosteroid shots are also needed.
To prevent shoulder pain in future you should exercise daily, if you are obese then reduce your weight, take healthy diet and add vitamin C and bioflavonoids to diet.
You should get X-ray and MRI to get detailed picture.
Hope it helps.
Take Care!
I find this answer helpful
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