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

[Inanu]

I have had pain in my upper back (I think trapezius muscle?!) and neck for about 6 weeks now, sometimes radiating down my arm so my wrist is also sore. It’s not terrible by any means and I’m incredibly busy at the moment juggling work and kids which is why I’ve been ignoring it but I think it’s getting to the point that I should see someone! Anyone with some expertise able to tell me who I should see? Getting a GP appointment is near impossible and I would be happy to pay to go private but only if I know they’re going to fix it but don’t know who to see!

Nope. Osteopath is a quack as well.

I’d be inclined to see either a physio or a sports massage therapist.

I would self refer to Physio and in the meantime find a sports medicine practitioner to do an appraisal and sports massage.

In our area you can self refer to physio without seeing a GP first. So I would Google and see if that's possible for you.

If you have health cover or can pay a private physio can be really good to.

Absolutely do not see a Chrio they can cause serious damage.

Except my chiro has an MD and is therefore entitled. And she worked as a trainee with physio and chiro for years too. Which a doctor/physio would do.

I would still always say check qualies and recommendations as I'm aware there are quacks out there.

What do you mean by "my chiro has an MD"? What is an MD?

And then you say "And she worked as a trainee with physio and chiro for years too. Which a doctor/physio would do.". Which makes no sense.

A GP will probably refer you to a physio but be warned the waiting list is very long for an NHS one. I had to wait around six months to see one for ongoing back pain/sciatica. To add insult to injury, they cancelled my appointment half an hour before it was due! If you can afford it, go private.

I’d go to a well recommended osteopath

Go to an osteopath! My friend is a trained osteopath and if I hurt my back she straightens me up really quickly. I have an appointment every 6- 8 weeks and no ongoing issues. My friend even kept me fully functional throughout my 4 pregnancies. She has even treated my children. A good osteopath is defo worth the investment

I had an acute back pain, so painful at one point I couldn't get off the loo! A few sessions with a chiropractor sorted it out and I've not had any further issues 18 months on. They're not all quacks.

Never got any joy with a physio - waste of time for me NHS - had to wait 6 months for the appointment - what worked for me was an amazing Osteopath who also treated the dancers of The Royal Ballet - money well spent

@Inanu we can self-refer to a physio in our GP's practice, you might find that you can do that locally

I’d go to a good Pilates instructor for a one to one session, or see a sports physio, one with the best reviews you can find. In the meantime probably see a gp and await a referral , just in case it escalates and you need a referral for long term physio or imaging or anything, as this can all be expensive. I’ve seen so many osteopaths , chiropractors, physios etc and pretty much all have been pointless and made little difference , I guess it depends on how resolvable the issue is.
The only thing that make a difference to my back pain are my long term commitment to Pilates and the gym, and a tens machine which I can’t be without.

Do you mean your chiro went to medical school and got a medical degree and then retrained as a chiropractor?

I've had this recently after I injured my shoulder. The osteopath worked wonders at helping sort out the afflicted shoulder & my tense, painful upper back. My neck needs further work apparently.

I would see an osteopath
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteopathy/safety/#:~:text=By%20law%2C%20osteopaths%20must%20be,renew%20their%20registration%20each%20year.

"Osteopaths complete a 4 or 5-year honours degree programme (bachelor's or master's), which involves at least 1,000 hours of clinical training. Some osteopaths are qualified to PhD level."

The standard entry requirements to study osteopathy at the London School of Osteopathy are: Min 2 A'levels with one being a science subject. Science subjects include PE and Psychology.

Oh good.

OR
BTEC in a subject such as Sports Science or Health and Social Sciences

Well it just gets better.

Here's the link:

lso.ac.uk/a-career-in-osteopathy/

Pilates worked for my back pain better than osteopath.

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

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

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.

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.

I find a sports massage therapist very good.

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.