bcmama

Slipped on ice and had a minor fall on Friday, felt a little stiff but no obvious injury.
Saturday morning woke up and couldn't move, incredibly sore across my upper back, spent most of the day icing it, heating it and laying down. Today more movement but still can't really turn my head and pain is now worse across the tops of shoulders and neck
Not had anything like this before, is it best to leave well alone or should I try to see someone tomorrow? Never seen a physio or chiropractor before. I am in agony!

bats

First of all did you hit your head or neck? If so see a doctor. Edit. See a doctor, in Emergency. If you have tingling or numbness in your arm/arms then go soon.

Never see a chiropractor, there are no studies that prove they do any good and with aa neck you risk serious injury. They are charlatans ans snake oil merchants.

I think physios are fanbloodytastic. Some of the best treatment you can get. I also think highly of massage therapists. They are regulated in Ontario, wouldn't use one otherwise.

bcmama

Thanks bats, no didn't hit my head. Landed weirdly on my side which is fine but I did put both my arms out to break my fall. Never felt pain like it and I have a high pain threshold usually. Will try to see a physio tomorrow.
There are what seems like thousands of chiropractors where I live, must be popular with someone!

bats

They are popular but that doesn't mean they do any good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BCA_v._Singh

Oink

So is religion but it doesn't mean its got anything thing to do with rational thought. I can't believe I'm going to say this,() but, do what Bats said. Go and see a doctor, get X-rays and drugs and then if its not too bad, physio. In the meantime, ice is your friend. Heat will inflame it.

bats

And why is this? Do you usually disagree with me?

bcmama

I couldn't remember whether to ice or heat it yesterday, maybe I've made it worse then, will get my ice pack on it now. So I should see a GP first? rather than just going straight to a physio?

Greenhill

The advantages there would be that the GP can write a prescription, if required, as well as make a note for the physio, regarding what they think might be causing the problem.

Oink

Absolutely. You don't know if you what damage you've done and it could make it much worse if you don't see a doctor first. I'd imagine a good physio wouldn't take you without a doctor's referral. You might also have to wait until any inflammation has subsided before any physic work, thats where painkillers can provide temporary relief.

bcmama

I've noticed lots of people raving about their chiropractors and they seem to go to them often, not something I ever encountered in the UK.

caretaker

A GP will write a requisition for x-rays and based on the interpretation maybe refer you to an orthopedic surgeon if you broke something or maybe prescribe physio and/or painkillers if you just bent it. The four courses of physio I've had in the past four years have all been post-op so I'm not familiar with other situations but I had to wait until healing was well underway first in each case. I thought I broke my back last winter when I fell on ice, but it got better in a day - I did however re-tear my rotator cuff in that fall and that required surgery.

magnumpi

I tried a chiro years ago as I had back pain with leg pain too, trapped nerve. It made me lots worse, to the point that I could not walk.

Go docs, take pain killers, get physio.

Greenhill

The orthopedic surgeon is the go-to guy for a cortisone injection, too, I believe.

Aviator

Any practitioner that requires you to sign a waiver so you cannot sue them if they cripple is one I would stay well clear of.

bats

Go to Emergency a GP is not an injury specialist. Plus if you need x rays they can be done then and you will get the result at that visit.