4 ms·

I've got serious neck and shoulder pain from wrestling in high school and college. Currently don't have the time to get proper treatment. Doctors have tried to

I've got serious neck and shoulder pain from wrestling in high school and college. Currently don't have the time to get proper treatment. Doctors have tried to prescribe opioids and even tranquilizers for the pain to help me sleep but I'm terrified, with good cause, of becoming addicted. I took a run of percocet in high school for my wisdom teeth and enjoyed them too much to ever have that be a regular part of my life. No mater what the pain is like I don't think I'll be able to feel comfortable taking any opioids.

zephyrthenoble 10y ago
I used to have chronic neck pain, and didn't think that it would ever get better. I was eventually convinced to go to physical therapy at a location near my job. It took several months of me going in for half an hour, twice a week, but my pain started to subside. I now only occasionally get pain when I have very poor posture. Give PT a try. It really doesn't take very long and is very effective.
- M_Grey 10y ago
  ^This!!! So much this. I had a similar issue years ago, and beyond the help of the therapy itself, she also pointed out all of things I was doing day in, day out, that caused my problem in the first place. She taught me to moderate the intensity of my typing, to take breaks, good posture, stretches, all of that. It's valuable stuff to learn, plus the therapy itself.
dandersh 10y ago
Someone mentioned physical therapy, which is a good idea. Another one might be going to a chiropractor (if it is an alignment issue). Given your aversion to taking opioids I would suggest trying to determine the exact nature of the pain (muscular, alignment, etc.) and attempt a suitable non-medicinal treatment (PT, chiropractor, yoga, etc.) As someone who occasionally gets mild and (easily treatable) shoulder/neck pain I hope you get better, it's not something that is easy to deal with.
- Taylor_OD 10y ago
  Thank you for all the encouragement to go. I assumed it would affect me forever. I'll get on top of this! Thanks!

zephyrthenoble 10y ago

I used to have chronic neck pain, and didn't think that it would ever get better. I was eventually convinced to go to physical therapy at a location near my job. It took several months of me going in for half an hour, twice a week, but my pain started to subside. I now only occasionally get pain when I have very poor posture. Give PT a try. It really doesn't take very long and is very effective.

M_Grey 10y ago
^This!!! So much this. I had a similar issue years ago, and beyond the help of the therapy itself, she also pointed out all of things I was doing day in, day out, that caused my problem in the first place. She taught me to moderate the intensity of my typing, to take breaks, good posture, stretches, all of that. It's valuable stuff to learn, plus the therapy itself.

dandersh 10y ago

Someone mentioned physical therapy, which is a good idea. Another one might be going to a chiropractor (if it is an alignment issue). Given your aversion to taking opioids I would suggest trying to determine the exact nature of the pain (muscular, alignment, etc.) and attempt a suitable non-medicinal treatment (PT, chiropractor, yoga, etc.) As someone who occasionally gets mild and (easily treatable) shoulder/neck pain I hope you get better, it's not something that is easy to deal with.

Taylor_OD 10y ago
Thank you for all the encouragement to go. I assumed it would affect me forever. I'll get on top of this! Thanks!