Upper back pain for YEARS - worth going back to GP?

[FrostyMorn]

Hoping for some insights here.

I have chronic back pain that started around 10 years ago when I pulled a muscle on the upper right (writing on the board as a teacher). The pain is still predominantly on the right covering my shoulder and neck too sometimes but has also spread over the years, I presume as surrounding muscles try to compensate. Compounding factors are poor posture and one collapsed arch affecting my gait (and painful in its own right).

Originally I saw the GP who prescribed naxproxen and rest. Unfortunately I can't stomach any NSAIDs - and at the time was unable to rest due to my job. I've been back to the GP since who just says to self refer to the NHS physio - I've done that but just get put in a few group exercise sessions.

Since then I've tried a private physio, an osteopath (two separate ones have now caused me worse pain than before), acupuncture (possibly helped a little), reflexology, a personal trainer (but half the exercises left me in more pain)... and I have a shiatsu massage booked for tomorrow which i haven't tried before (am sceptical but desperate).

Has anyone had any success in overcoming upper back pain? And if I go back to the GP, what should I be pushing for? Last night the pain was waking me up. Even holding the phone to my ear hurts.

Any suggestions well received.

How long did you see the private physio for?

Sounds like you need to persist with physio and commit to the exercises. Acupuncture, deep tissue massage and use of an acupressure mat (like a shakti mat) might provide some pain relief

The only person who can help you long-term is a good physio. I would try and find a different one with good reviews/word-of-mouth recommendation and commit to regular sessions for a few months. You can’t just be on painkillers forever and there will absolutely be a solution - a physio is best-placed to help you. It’s annoying that you will have to pay for it as the nhs is so broken, but it’s got to be better than living in chronic pain. Osteopaths and acupuncturists are not going to be able to sort this out for you.

You need to actually keep up with the physio & commit to it properly.

Physio in conjunction with Pilates and /or yoga. I’ve suffered from upper back pain for 16 years on and off, made worse by breast cancer 8 years ago. I keep it (mostly) under control by Pilates and yoga. You will need a one to one assessment by a Pilates teacher first (do your research to make sure they are good).

Thank you for all the replies. Just to clarify, I don't take pain killers at all.

I tried a yoga class a few months ago and found it immensely painful. I also did a month of weekly pilates classes earlier this year but managed to hurt myself doing that too - this makes me feel so hopeless.

I expect the physio is the answer and yes, committing to the exercises given. Appreciate the wakeup call in this regard. I will seek out someone with the right credentials ASAP.

Thank you, this is the home truth I need!

Agree with PP, the Dr will likely say 'so you haven't taken painkillers, rested, or done the physio'.
Commit to trying to improve, then if no progress, I would then return and explain exactly what you have tried and where you are with it.
I have friends who swear by Alexander Technique too for chronic, long term back issues, could be worth a look.

I live in the Northamptonshire area and can recommend a physio

Very kind but I'm in London.

A few people have mentioned the Alexander Technique. Will consider this too, thanks, but in the meantime will commit to some physio.

I see a level 5 sports massage therapist monthly for maintenance now, but have done intensive pilates and massage and acupuncture in combination for 18mths to sort out an acute back issue. You can find a qualified one here www.theisrm.com/directory.php

Thanks. Out of interest did you do a group pilates class or one to one?

Small group of 6 so the instructor would walk around correcting people.

@FrostyMorn hi, I hope you're doing well. Wondering if you've found anything to alleviate your pain? My brother has been suffering with chronic back pain for about 18 months and has tried everything but is still in constant pain, so much that he can't work and both sitting and standing are extremely painful...

@BellaTink647 Hi, thanks for asking and sorry to hear about your brother. Since I last posted last autumn it's been up and down. I think that physio exercises helped for a bit, then I went through another really painful period that led me to see a new osteopath who takes quite a gentle approach with cranial massage and western style acupuncture (where needles are inserted at the location of the pain rather than a place that's meant to connect to or correspond to that location as in Chinese medicine, and not for very long - forgive that basic explanation). It took 4 or 5 appointments before I felt any improvement and I confess I was questioning how it could possibly work - but then it did feel better for a few weeks. It's now 4 weeks since I last saw her and in the last few days the pain has been growing again. So I can only assume that it wasn't coincidence that it had been improving and that I need to keep up the treatment at least every 2 weeks.
Has your brother tried physio or osteo?