Neck and shoulder pain and tingling thumb and twitches

[twofloorsup]

Hi there.
I've been suffering with what I thought was stiff back neck and shoulders for about a week. I've tried deep heat and massage but not noticed any difference.

Today the pain has moved more to my shoulder blade, and my arm keeps twitching. I've also had numbness/ tingling in the pad of my thumb for the last two days.

Does this sound like something to be concerned about ?

I'm mid 40s in reasonable health but slightly overweight.
I don't go to the doctor unless I absolutely have to and an appointment is usually a months wait so I don't want to go unless totally necessary.

Thanks if you got to the end

I've just read an nhs shoulder pain website

I'm a bit medically timid so no I didn't read it all but I got the idea. (Faint at the slightest hint of medical treatment )

I'm hopeful mine isn't that as it very definitely started with neck and upper back pain and is now more neck and shoulder with the added numbness/ tingling in my thumb.

It's very wearing being in pain for so long I don't know how people cope with this sort of thing when it's permanent

I had a very physical job too.

I'm more of a couch potato which is partly why I thought my neck was hurting to start with.
I've started walking this week just need to keep it up.

Seriously try a chiropractor or osteopath. They are much better than GPs for this sort of thing.

I had major issues with discs in my upper spine years ago when we were living overseas. Had physio and was practically addicted to codeine. Couldn’t sleep as couldn’t get comfortable. Physio sessions helped for a day. I was have two sessions a week. I ended up having an mri. Showed issues with discs and surgery was recommended. I was bloody terrified of spinal surgery. I ended up going to a guy in Ireland who sorted it some how.

It came back again in uk, but not as bad. But I was getting the tingling down my arm and I was terrified I would end up in th same amount of pain. I went to a chiropractor and he sorted it. I still go about every six weeks.

I will try GP first as I don't have funds for anything else at the moment. Will update after my appointment.

I’ve had this! It’s called T4 syndrome and a couple of sessions with a physio sorted it. I can’t believe the difference, I’d got so used to living with it.

Weirdly enough I have the GP appointment tomorrow and today is the best I've felt in two weeks !!
Still have numbness and tingling in my thumb so will attend the appointment but I now have 90% range of movement in my neck which is a huge improvement.

The doctor said it's to do with nerves and to try heat packs, gentle massage and neck exercises.
He said sort that problem out and the thumb will sort itself out.

Good that you have seen GP, and I hope you feel much better soon.

I have arthritis in my neck, as well as MS.

I have found yoga exercises very beneficial especially with my neck. Most of the yoga I do is chair based.

If the numbness /tingling doesn’t stop you really should go back to your GP.

I have found yoga exercises very beneficial especially with my neck. Most of the yoga I do is chair based.

Yogagirl id be interested in the exercises you do. I have arthritis in my neck as well as 3 slipped discs. Treatment wise I’ve had physio and 6 injections of PRT. I’m much better but still can’t excetcise properly without being in pain for a few days and it occurre to me the other day perhaps I should be doing yoga.

I had this. After a visit to a GP and physio-therapy and Oestopath sessions the problem was identified . The best advice the oestopath gave me was to use an electric shoulder blanket and rub in Voltorol. I bought the heated blanket and it has made a huge difference.

If the pain continues go back and ask for x-rays. My problems had two sources, the back and shoulder by OestoArthritus in the cervical spine. The hand and arm tingling by Carpel Tunnel.

I was diagnosed two years ago and, with the exercises, blanket, Voltorol and prescription med, I am a different person. There were so many things I could not do and the constant pain made me feel really low.

Like you I hated going to the doctors but I was glad I did. I was also very wary about visiting an Oesteopath, but the four sessions were well worth the money and I have not had to return.

teisanLap try a chair based yoga group for people with limited mobility, you may find a charity connected to your health condition may run one, do you have a specialist nurse you could ask?

The neck exercises I do are, sitting tall in a chair, from looking forward, move your head to the right, looking over your right shoulder, back to centre, then repeat on the left.

Then tip your head, so your ear is going to drop towards your right shoulder, back to centre and then repeat on the left.

Next turn your head to the right and roll your head gently across your chest to the left and back, I don’t do a full circle, some do, but that would be too much strain on my neck. Your neck will sound very noisy!

I usually do the above 3 times for each one.

I hope it makes sense! You can google videos etc. As with any exercise just do what you can manage and gradually build up. I found it helpful to keep it all moving.

Good luck.

Thank you all for your replies.
I will try the exercises.
As I'm already feeling a fair improvement I'm hoping that it will gradually go away , but will keep an eye on the tingling.
Hard not to it's driving me crackers

The tingling is awful. Have you been checked for Carpal Tunnel

No but because it has coincided with the neck and shoulder pain the doctor said it's a result of that.