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!

Qualified to deliver a "treatment" that doesn't work but can cause injury. You can get a PhD in dragon lore, it doesn't mean dragons exist.

That sounds almost identical to my herniated disc in my cervical spine around C5 / C6. I saw a physio for it but he insisted on an MRI to diagnose before any treatment. Could have gone through GP who would have referred me to their physio.

it’s extremely skilled and they don’t just do the same thing all the time. Hence how things can go disastrously wrong if a person isn’t properly trained. As another poster said, there are different styles. But there are many other therapies. Some people swear by the Alexander Technique. The medical profession doesn’t have much to offer for back problems.

Our GP doesn’t really diagnose. They refer to physio for diagnosis. My GP was adamant I had a rotator cuff injury but it definitely isn’t that. Physio makes a guess really without an actual scan to confirm

Well, that’s your opinion and your entitled to it.

I'm going to put in a word for soft tissue therapists. I no longer go to anyone who does cracks as I don't feel it's necessary.
I did have a Bowen therapist get rid of all the pain and dragging associated with prolapse (I still have a small prolapse that I can live with as it's no longer symptomatic). They worked completely on top of clothes and didn't need to go near anywhere sensitive. That was a much better outcome than the obstetric physio who didn't look but told me I'd probably need a 'little fix'.

I digress from the ops original complaint but my point is to look around and ask people around you. There are some wonderful therapists out there. Mine (not the one I've just mentioned) doesn't even advertise and has people travel miles because of his success rate.

Took me 6 weeks to qualify as a sports massage therapist, woo squared.

There is nothing skills about bringing your knee forward and pressing on your shoulder to get your twisted back to click.

It's not extremely skilled. It doesn't work.

It's an opinion backed up by robust evidence, i.e. fact.

@Cynic17 - ever considered you've just not come across a good one?

I have an amazing chiropractor that I have been seeing for 30+ years - I'm not his best customer as I maybe go once every two - three years, he sorts things generally in one visit, and then I'm fine again.
He combines treatments with acupuncture, so you leave the treatment floating.

Once I went for a pain in my shoulder or something, as I was getting ready to go we were discussing walking, and I mentioned I had a problem with one of my feet that I'd been seeing my GP, then a podiatrist & a physio about for months. He'd finished my appointment but said he'd take a quick look - sorted in minutes after months of NHS treatment.

Private physio. Check their qualifications look for reviews. A good physio will refer you on if they think your problem is not musculoskeletal.

Avoid chiropractor and osteopath, I saw both to help with a similar problem. I knew from the symptoms I most likely had prolapsed discs in my neck but the pain was so excruciating I went to see both who lost waiting for a consultant appointment. Both argued it was just a trapped nerve or a muscular issue. I'm lucky they didn't injure me further.
Ideally GP and a referral just in case it's something more serious. Mine turned out to b be pressure on the nerves coming out of my neck. I'm lucky that long teen damage is minimal (muscle weakness and numbness in one arm. )

Chiropractors have helped me

Sounds amazing

have you tried the Alexander Technique

There's a bit of a difference in that only one of them claims to have been invented by ghosts, and allows unregulated randomers to do manipulations which might paralyse you...

Have a look at Tom Morrison on You Tube - he has a fantastic range of exercises that will be right up your street that start to help to release.

The actual treatment feels pretty much the same to me, not sure why that's such a crime

I didn't say it was a crime, I just said they're unregulated (and largely uninsured, or underinsured) and could paralyse you

Not going would have helped you just as much. It has been proven over and over and over that it's no better than placebo at best and actively harmful at worse.

As a physio, we are legally not allowed to make diagnoses, that is for either the GP or, if he can[t, a specialist. Could be a rhumatologist or neurologist, depending on the symptoms.

Osteopaths - went to one recently. Was amazed at the medical knowledge they had and they worked wonders.

Osteopaths have to do a degree to be qualified.

But not a degree in medicine

Check whether your trust allows self referral to osteopath or physio. Mine does and the osteopath is brilliant for my back muscle issues when they arise