1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Any suggestions on how to treat an inflammed shoulder for overuse?

Posted , 10 users are following.

leonard12916
leonard12916

It seems that with my PMR recent overuse of my shoulder from making greeting cards has caused for the first time a major inflammation here with ongoing pain.  I've read online that ice, rest, and anti-inflammatories are generally the best initial treatment.  Might some of you have some suggestions for relief, in particular anti-inflammatories that aren't too hard on the stomach?  I'm seeing a Bowen practitioner for the first time later in the coming week and wonder if the person could aggravate the problem by working on the shoulde. Might those of you who have had Bowen therapy have a comment on this?

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • jean39702
    jean39702 leonard12916

    Posted

    I had successful Bowen therapy for both shoulders.  Success was the result of the therapy and the exercises the therapist gave me to do following treatment.  Although I continue to have slight issues with one shoulder, it's because of the things I do.  It comes and goes based on how 'good' I am at watching what I do and my commitment to working out the pain through exercise.

     

    • leonard12916
      leonard12916 jean39702

      Posted

      Hi Jean, I mentioned here that I have to wonder how Bowen therapy could help a sore inflammed shoulder.  Seems to me it would aggravate it more, if it can indeed help I'd be so very pleased.  Can you give me some idea how it was effective when the shoulder was giving discomfort already?  Many thanks for your help.
    • jean39702
      jean39702 leonard12916

      Posted

      All I can say is that Bowen works in mysterious ways.  biggrin  Personally I wouldn't describe it as 'massage' per se.  I think the therapist alters the way a muscle works...in a good way.  Then the follow-up exercises continue to retrain the muscle.  I could be way out to lunch on the magic of it all though.

      Although I may have a bruise or two after Bowen, I've never had problems get worse from the therapy itself.

      Hope this helps. 

  • Diana112
    Diana112 leonard12916

    Posted

    Hi - if you are already being medicated with prednisolone the normal advice is not to take NSAID's in conjunction - the pred is itself an anti inflammatory. Unfortunately, PMR does result in the muscles becoming intolerant of over use and we pay the price.  Also one of the side effects of pred is muscle weakness and I think resting as far as possible and your planned visit to the therapist are the best treatment, as Jean has said. 
  • gail2910-US-MI
    gail2910-US-MI leonard12916

    Posted

    I am being treated for both PMR and tendonitis and am on NSAIDs along with Prednisone. (5 mg. Pred daily, 15 mg Meloxicam) Everyone seems to agree that the risk for GI issues is significant with this regimen but the two conditions mandate different medications. I try to be careful with diet and never take meds on empty stomach. I also drink a lot of water. It doesn't feel like a very stable plan; I am hoping one condition or the other improves soon. I also wonder if people have experience with foods that are protective of stomach.....My doctor prescribed Prislosec but that seems like heaping on another potential problem to me. I have mostly not taken it. So sorry for your pain; these are frustrating issues.
    • LayneTX
      LayneTX gail2910-US-MI

      Posted

      Gail,  

      my mistake was NO probiotics!  I stopped yogurt on doctors orders.  Now may have GERD. Since ga petting back to a refrigerated, 12 billion Probiotic my symptoms are better! I'm so angry that I didn't know to take those.

      hope you are taking some. wink 

      regards, 

      Layne

    • gail2910-US-MI
      gail2910-US-MI LayneTX

      Posted

      Every day, yogurt in the a.m. Good refridgerated probiotic at night. Thank you for endorsing that. One never is sure if something is helping or not. Sorry you may have GERD. I bet you can get back on top of it with proper attention. Can't imagine doctor telling you no yogurt!
  • margaret22251
    margaret22251 leonard12916

    Posted

    Hi i make cards in a class all day, and like you at the end i feel my shoulders, i do some excersices, roll my head a few times, then move my neck side to side a few times, and if im lucky get husband to just gently massage each shoulder i find this helps.

     

  • leonard12916
    leonard12916

    Posted

    Thank you all for your comments. This is a great place to help get quick suggestions and support.  Jean's comment about Bowen therapy helping her shoulders was encouraging but I have to wonder how ANY massage of an inflammed area can help, seems to me it would only make it worse!  I've put all my card making materials and my art paint brushes out of sight for awhile and will practise 'resting' this very sore shoulder!
    • LayneTX
      LayneTX leonard12916

      Posted

      I too made a Bowen appt!!! Not until Aug. 28, but I'm looking forward to trying it.

      ive learned icing not so good anymore for inflammation (just new injuries and within first 24 hrs), I've learned from this sight, a heating pad that is somewhat moist, I found one can put in microwave for 1 min. It relieves pain for a little while, I assume it helps with blood circulation.

      Sometimes, just for immediate get my mind off pain...I'll rub a drop or two of peppermint essential oil...not sure it does anything, but mentally it does something to distract me. Some people find it too burning, so dilute with a simple oil, even coconut oil.

       

    • lodgerUK_NE
      lodgerUK_NE leonard12916

      Posted

      Bowen is not massage in the way you think it is, it is so gently that you will think it cannot possible work, but it does.

      One thing overuse of any area will lead to repetitive strain injury (RSI) no more than an hour doing something and that even means sitting down.

      With PMR you need to be especially sensitive about shoulders as Rotator Cuff injury is one of the classics results.

      Better get to Bowen asap.

      NSAIDS are a no no whilst on pred, but how about a couple of paracetomol (don't go mad) when the pain is too bad.

  • gail2910-US-MI
    gail2910-US-MI leonard12916

    Posted

    Heated rice sacks! Stitch up a little flannel sack, fill with rice, heat in microwave. You can also buy these online. Wonderful at improving circulation and providing comfort as well.

    Please let me know if you receive any info about using NSAID with Pred. Pred doesn't work on tendonitis so you have to be sure of dx. Best to you.

  • MrSolo_UK_Lancs
    MrSolo_UK_Lancs leonard12916

    Posted

    Hi Leonard, Just a suggestion on the anti- inflammitories front, previous to taking the Pred for my PMR I have for a long time taken Diclofenac Sodium 75mg. (SR) for a very long standing knee problem, it seems to be very easy on the stomach. It is a member of the NSAID'S group but my GP said I would be OK taking it along side the Pred. I have complete trust in my GP a very experienced practitioner with a wonderful pragmatic approach to patient care.

    Hope this is of some help, ATB Richard

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy MrSolo_UK_Lancs

      Posted

      Drug interactions do say:

      "diclofenac sodium oral , prednisone oral . Either increases toxicity of the other by added drug effects. Increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) ulceration."

    • lodgerUK_NE
      lodgerUK_NE MrSolo_UK_Lancs

      Posted

      Mr Solo

      The only people I completely trust on drugs is my pharmacist, they actually train longer than GPs and purely on drugs.

      I have a wonderful GP and even he made a mistake when I was on pred and as usual my pharmacist said, oh no, not that one, called my Gp there and then told him why and the prescription was altered there and then.  

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.