Question
For the past four months I've had constant pain in my right shoulder, and the facilities I've been to have done little to nothing to remedy the situation. They prescribe 500mg Tylenol, which doesn't relieve the pain in the slightest, so I've discontinued its use.

The pain is manageable most times, only by ignoring it, though. Having to move anything above the elbow causes a sharp and almost crippling pain. My knees buckled twice due to trying to simply reach for something that was a bit too high. It's a very specific pain; that is to say, it doesn't drift. It the beginning it was very mild and tended to radiate to my neck and part of the midback. It wasn't bothersome really. But over time it has become very localized and likes to make its presence known.

About a month and a half (possibly two months) ago, however, a second symptom started, wherein I have intermittent tingling, and after extended experiences of tingling, a partial numbness of my right hand. The tingling and numbness are of the outer portion of my hand; from the wrist up to the ring and pinky fingers. I retain the majority of my motor control of these fingers, but I have had them seize up a handful of times. While not necessarily inhibiting to my job performance, it is disconcerting.

The pain in my shoulder, however, has increased dramatically in the past week. It's gotten to the point where I can no longer lift some of the gear that I use while working, which is a major concern.

I can't think of any traumatizing events that could have caused this problem, though. I don't suppose the cause would actually matter at this point in time unless it's something recurring that I do unknowingly, because the physicians that I've seen in the past about the problem seem completely uninterested. They continue to give me Tylenol and recommend various stretches for my arm and shoulder that do nothing. My current location puts me in a bind, though. I can't just run to the next town over to visit a different doctor.

Is there anything you can think of that would cause a condition like this? Anything that can be done to mitigate the pain to a more tolerable level?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.

Answer
Matthew,

You've got very tight neck muscles causing nerve impingements.  Tylenol would do nothing for contracted muscles.

The trauma would be to your neck, not to your shoulder or arm or hand.

The neck muscles don't stop at the base of the neck; they go down the back.

Stretching probably won't help.  See my articles on stretching and on whiplash injuries.  They tell more and point you to what you can do about it.

My best suggestion: find a clinical somatic educator (list:  hannasomatics.com/practitioners) or use a self-help program (write for a recommendation).

with regard,
Lawrence Gold