I've been suffering with severe pain in my back and shoulder, to the extent that I'm not sleeping, for two weeks, so I went to see my usual osteopath. I usually see him for sporting injuries and TBH, I assumed that was what this is.
Anyway, he did a thorough examination and didn't find anything mechanical wrong with my back, neck or shoulder. He did say that sometimes the area I was feeling the back pain and right shoulder pain can be due to liver or kidney problems. He did something he called a "kidney punch" (not as dramatic as it sounds) and eliminated the kidney, but when he felt around my digestive tract that was triggering the shoulder pain. He also thought he could feel part of my liver protruding below my ribs, which apparently could suggest some inflammation, as usually the liver all be inside the ribcage. He suggested I see GP who would probably do some blood tests.
So, I've booked the next available routine appointment with GP, which is in the second week of September! Because of this I telephoned the duty doctor, thinking that maybe they would refer for the suggested blood tests without seeing me.
He was very skeptical about the osteopath "they know about bones not other things" and can't refer me without seeing me as there are lots of different liver tests.
I understand that the osteopath can't diagnose a liver issue and he hasn't tried to do that, he was very measured in his advice, no need to panic etc but do see GP and let me know how you get on. I do have some faith in his ability as he spotted my friend's cancer while the GP was still sending him away with painkillers. Again he didn't "diagnose" but he did advise friend that he felt he should go back to the GP as there was something wrong with his lung (in this case) which was causing the pain in his shoulder. Thankfully it was caught in time and friend is now well.
Anyway, I don't think my issue is as serious as that as i'm well in myself (friend wasn't) but should I be booking an emergency appointment or leave it til September?