Do I visit a gp, osteopath, physio or chiropractor??

Highly qualified in bunkum. That's the problem.

You can study anything you like to PhD level - doesn't make it useful.

It's a complete minefield.

I've had chronic upper back issues for years and every single specialist I've seen has said it's posture related.
I've seen a GP, musculoskeletal specialist, chiropractor, physio and osteopath.

My physio and osteopath were the best, but even then they poked around for a bit, gave me a few exercises and charged £50.
Here I am, still doing the exercises multiple times a day not feeling fixed at all. Maybe a bit looser, but that's it.

They're obviously just helping me manage the pain, trying to strengthen the muscles but sometimes I feel like it's just making them feel even more sore. My physio used to say my back muscles have become really sensitive. So what's the fix to that then?

Just seems nobody really has an answer and just wants to charge me £50 to tell me that, and say 'but keep stretching, it might get better'.

I would challenge your Chiropractor perception. They need to be highly qualified, and I’ve found most of the ones I’ve seen to be very good too. Maybe you’ve seen rubbish ones?

Really? Are you sure you’re not just seeing crap ones? The Chiropractors I have seen over the years have got loads of qualifications and I have found them on the whole very good. Not all are hard crackers either, there are different styles.

A good osteopath should help.

Go to a physio, a good one can do wonders. Mine used ultrasound and laser treas well as hands on. Also acupuncture which I was unsure if but works!!

Physio

I found out my GP Practice included a physio. I messaged them and asked if I could see the Physio as I'd hurt my leg. I was seen within two days! Then had a follow up and was discharged. My GP had to agree but it was amazing. Worth investigating.

Most GPs now have self referral? Mine also has a physio in the surgery a few days a week. I would pursue physio via NHS but may take a few weeks. For immediate relief visit an osteopath. I have used (private) osteopaths to good effect for back / neck problems (usually related to car/ riding accidents). Physio good for limbs I find but don’t do manual manipulation so it’s on you to the exercises.

Osteopaths can be brilliant, but you need to find a good one. Some are rubbish. If you’re an a lot of pain right now, an osteopath should be able to ease the pain, even release it entirely. I often have back issues, with painful neck spasms and my osteopath always sorts it out, usually in one session. That combined with a deep sports massage is all I need unless it’s a tear or damage that needs physio and rehab to carefully rebuilt he muscle, however some physios are rubbish too!

i just reread your message. In your case, I think go and see an osteopath for immediate pain relief, then a good physio who might use infra-red or other treatments to help with inflammation and then slowly get you to use the muscle again. As it’s been painful for quite a while, I wouldn’t do sports massage just yet as you might aggravate the muscle if there’s a tear. You could ask your physio for advice on this, they might even offer massage in their clinic.

I've had a similar problem for a few years went down Gp route they referred me physio which is honestly waste of time. Only thing that helps me is an osteopath I pay for

Osteopath. I’ve used them for years. They’ve fixed everything except migraines for me.

I would love to, but I broke my back neck and pelvis and they can't operate😔 even a couple of days of relief means I've managed to come off fentanyl, baclofen and gabapentin🎉🎉🎉

Physio - can do some adjustments if needed but most importantly work out what the issue is properly and give exercises

Our (useless) GP would just send us to A&E but we have an excellent Walk-in centre just 3 miles away who are much more responsive and will arrange bloods and x-rays etc Do you have such a facility you can go to? I agree with the anti-chiro sentiments many have expressed

I'd go to a sports/deep tissue massage therapist. I'd be prepared to bet that a tight muscle in your back is pressing on one of the nerves that goes down your arm. Ask for recommendations for massage therapists at your local running club. (Ex runner here). Serious runners are always nursing tight muscles and usually know a good therapist.

Physio

Physio first as it sounds muscular or trapped nerve, either of which they should be able to help with. If they can’t help and think it’s skeletal then move on to osteopath. Don’t bother with chiropractors they’re all quacks, same as homeopaths.

Physio here, I recommend that you see your GP first as you have pain radiating down your arm. Could be due to many reasons, disc hernia, shoulder bursitis, etc. The GP would do a full exam, get a proper diagnosis and, depending on the results, necessary, send you to a neurologist,or physio.

I find a sports massage therapist very good.

osteopathy is further confusing because in the US you can get two different types of medical degree. A DO doctor of osteopathy and an MD Doctor of medicine.

but they are both proper medical degrees that differ slightly but qualify both graduates to perform as medics and surgeons (with the appropriate further studies)

but a Doctor of osteopathy (DO) is a fully qualified doctor. Not an osteopath.

Sounds like an issue I’ve had ongoing for 3 years now. In our area you can self refer into the the physio team. I didn’t find out nhs physio much help though as they are the gate keepers to get an MRI and insist you go through ‘treatment’ first. Each nhs physio I’ve seen has given me a different set of exercises on paper without actually touching me (apart from a basic examination). Private physio has been better as they do hands on manipulation. Patently there’s no evidence to prove hands on is better than exercises but I know it feels better after some manipulation. Anyway, after 3 years of nhs physio and private physio my nhs physio have eventually agreed to send me for an mri.

3 years ago I also do my GP who originally told me to self refer to the nhs physio. He prescribed 10mg of amitriptyline. Since then I’ve been back to GP twice who has increased dose and I’m now on 30mg. I’m not convinced it helps - well it seems to for a while then o think i become tolerant.

Originally physio have said trapped nerve in the neck. Recent physio who did MRI referral suspects age related wear and tear (I use the left arm a lot more than right for musical hobbies). She said that the scan might show where the wear and tear is and I could be either referred to spinal for an injection or just have to live with the fact nothing can actually be done. Had MRI, waiting for results. Will see.

Edited to add. My physio suggested Pilates for lower back pain I’ve had for years as she thinks that is mechanical. Reformer Pilates rather than mat Pilates. I’ve enjoyed it. It’s pretty expensive and a commitment. But I’ve had to stop as many of the exercises involve using arms/shoulders and these trigger my pain in my neck/shoulder/arm. My instructor did say they could tailor sessions more but they had done that already and it hasn’t helped. I’ve decided to wait til MRI comes back. Physio did say that Pilates reformer exercises won’t damage though and to keep doing it but leaving out arms for now. I’ve decided to hold off renewing my membership at this particular place. But it has helped with my back.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteopathy/

I’ve used a really good sports / deep tissue massage to relieve this, although that in itself can be pretty painful.

Pilates worked for my back pain better than osteopath.