Thursday, September 13, 2007

Excuses, Excuses

I developed a wretched sort of crick in my shoulder early this week that is variously sending shooting pain up into my neck and down the right side of my spine. Although quite unpleasant, the pain is not debilitating for the most part, but sitting at the computer seems to aggravate it, especially the mousing action. What with traveling three days this week for work and spending the other day at the desk writing reports, I haven't felt up to much evening computing.

Instead, I have been vegging out on the couch with the heating pad. Today it felt a little better, despite driving 268 miles, which is odd, since driving all day often leads to shoulder cramping. Maybe it was all the ibuprofen I gobbled up, six so far today. I think it's time to re-up, though, as the muscles seem to be seizing up again. The last dose was about six hours ago, so I am not sure if the ibuprofen is wearing off, or if the computing is escalating the pain. Either way, I think I better wrap up this sorry whine-fest.

Anyone have any advice for dealing with shoulder pain?

6 comments:

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your pain. I hate pain! WAHN! Hope it goes away soon. FEEL BETTER!

Electronic Goose said...

When my shoulders hurt, I do the heating pad for about 30 minutes, and then long, hardcore yoga-ish stretches. Perhaps you've already tried that, though.

a/k/a Nadine said...

When I had that back pain of late, I found the only thing that helped were those Ibu 800s. Hope your pain goes away quickly!

Anonymous said...

I bet that sucks. Have you ever treated yourself to complementary therapies? Might work.

joy
Your Love Coach

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Hope you're feeling better by now!

Jenny F. Scientist said...

Ooh, I'm sorry about that!

I have what sounds like exactly the same thing- kind of under the shoulder blade a bit? With the shooting pains?

The PT/doctors said regular stretching- like every 15 minutes all day- would help, and I've found it does. If you roll your shoulders slowly back and around several times (like hunching up and then pushing your chest out). Also neck: back and forth, and side to side. Doorway stretches, also.

As for exercises: lateral raises, flys (elbows bent, hold hands together and then move straight back). Either with small weights- soup cans work great- or alone.

Hope it gets better!