I’ve had problems with my upper right arm for ummmm, probably over a year, if not two. Looking at anatomy diagrams, I’d say it’s somewhere around where the deltoid muscle meets the biceps brachii short head causing discomfort.

At one point, after holding my arm straight and then lifting my hand away from my side until it was raised above my head, on the way back down retracing the movement, I’d have to stop and bring my hand back in toward me.

Another problematic movement was windmilling the arm (with left arm relaxed) where on the downward movement the discomfort would require me to stop.

But I’ve slowly been practicing these sorts of exercises over the months until these motions and things seem to be improving.

And then I go out on the mountain bike and bunny hop up a kerb and the problem is practically guarranteed to return.

More recently it occurred to me to try rotating my palms while keeping arms straight down by my side. Left arm fine, but the right, the same area is makes the motion uncomfortable but not preventatively so.

What is this a sympton of? Are there other exercises which would be of greater benefit?

Cheers!

If it’s been sore for a year why have you not gone to see a physio or other such specialist?

The shoulder is quite a complex joint. It could be a number of things.

Go and see someone in person and get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

I’ll try and help

Another problematic movement was windmilling the arm (with left arm relaxed) where on the downward movement the discomfort would require me to stop.

I’d say your number one problem is this. Windmilling is a move not worth bothering with in a fist fight. If you find yourself in a scrap (out the back by the bins) always go for powerful, accurate quick jabs. If you can combine these with quick footwork; you’ll be near enough unstoppable.

Try **** with your left hand for a while.

Edit: swear filter? really???

Just the usual: I tend to avoid going to doctors etc if I can help it, especially when a complaint doesn’t cause too much problem – when I have been they don’t seem too interested and are of little help and then I guess they have patients with far bigger problems to worry about.

How would I go about seeing a physio on NHS? Or is it worth going to see a sports physio privately?

Personally for sport injury/overuse I will had direct to the physio (John at 919 clinic in Sheffield) He has a background in rapid re-hab sport physio worked with elite football teams, british Lions, paralymic squad etc.

Assess, go in hard with treatment, gets it fixed and you are on your way.

How would I go about seeing a physio on NHS? Or is it worth going to see a sports physio privately?

Either through your GP or some Trusts let you self refer now (you get an appointment over the phone). Look up you local trust on the interwebs. It’ll prob be a 4-6 week wait.

It sounds like may be some kind of impingement, get it looked at or it’ll be annoying you forever 🙂

I have never even thought of going to my GP with a muscular/sport related issue.

For the sake of £30/£40 I would always just go straight to a private specialist (physic/Orthopaedic therapist/Chiropractor/witch doctor…whatever you think is best).

Assuming its a minor/typical issue you will most likely only need one or two treatments and they will give you a plan to follow to self manage.

Sounds like a rotator cuff issue to me, possibly a slight slap tear. As recommended above I would see a physio ASAP. Speaking from experience (surgery twice on my shoulder) I would make sure you see a well recommended shoulder specialist physio and/or consultant, as some of the ‘orthopaedic specialists’ at your local general hospital etc just don’t have enough experience with the shoulder specifically to recognise and treat such a complex joint.

As you are in the south east I’d recommend trying to get referred to either the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital

I mentioned this in another post but it’s relevant here too. Mega Cissus has really helped me recover from injuries in the past and the only thing that gave me any pain relief from shoulder and elbow problems other than hardcore pain meds.

I can’t say for sure it will work for you but I reckon it would. For instance, I wouldn’t be able to sleep on the side with the bad shoulder. Then I’d take a daily dosage of around 4 grams, 2 in the morning and 2 with dinner and that night the pain would be virtually gone. The injury would still be there but it seems to reduce swelling and speed up recovery. Arnica cream/gel is also good for applying topically for some pain relief and helps reduce bruising.

There’s a fair bit of info on google with regards to mega cissus. Get the pure powder rather than a propriety blend as the cissus is the ingredient that does the magic. You can also buy it in capsule form but it works out more expensive. I’m no doctor but I reckon you’re looking at 2 months until 90% fixed and virtually no pain within the first week. Keep up the recommended exercises too, there’s loads of examples on youtube.

+1 for cissus, worked well as pain relief for me too

Go to a physio if you want to have a decent go at fixing it. Self diagnosing via strangers on STW is unlikely to help and could even do you more harm…