Hi Terri, welcome to the group. I really don't know what an osteopath is, I've never been to one. I've seen an orthopedic doctor a few times and they just pretty much recommended surgery each time. I don't know what kind of advice you're looking for really. I can say though that even though this group might be pretty quiet, you are definitely not alone with back pain. Mine radiates from my back all the way to my knees, as well as my chest and neck as well. It's really quite bad at times.

Hi Enigmatic

An osteopath is a person who massages peoples joints and muscles. i have been going to one after three falls from a horse (although not at the same time) about 6/7 years ago. i decided to go to another osteopath as the original one didn't seem to be doing me any good. When i went to see my new osteopath he told me about the ligament damage and that he would not be making me another appointment as he couldn't do anything for me, so that is why my original osteopath wasn't doing any good. Why couldn't she tell me this. I would have saved myself an awful lot of money. My pain radiates from my shoulder to my lower back on the right side (this is the side where i kept falling). It is particularly bad when i have been standing for a long time. Do you take any medication for your pain? I have arranged to see my GP but can't get an appointment for another two weeks

I see, that's someone I would probably like to see, I really want to get massages as I feel like it might help with the pain at least a little bit. Unfortunately it's more than likely not covered by my health insurance, as a lot of things seem to not be. Right now I'm in physical therapy and even that isn't covered and it also does not seem to be helping with the pain either. No I do not take any pain medication really. People can have very different opinions on things, I've seen one chiropractor that told me he could definitely help, and I seen another one that told me that he can't help me at all and I would have to get surgery. Same profession two very different opinions. Also a lot of people just want your money so they will tell you what you want to hear, some are not that crooked in their dealings, it really depends on the person.

Good morning Terri,
Sorry to hear about what you are going through but I have been a nurse 35 years still learning myself. Had 8 neck back surgeries 3 of these SCS implant related trial and such. Continued to work and c/o r shoulder arm pain, maybe similar to yours, had ct of my shoulder and my rotator cuff was half torn off, had surgery to fix that had a couple other issues in my shoulders I was unaware of. Falling off a horse sounds like you need an MRI or CT of shoulder, neck, thoracic. You could have a herniated disc or a small fracture of your back or neck. You can have a tiny tear and be unaware of it and it can cause all kinds of pain. Dealing with chronic pain I have tried many different antidepressants and prozac works well for me, the dr has increased it recently r/t severe foraminal narrowing. Antidepressants help balance out your mind because pain just uses up all the neurotransmitters? something like that. Antidepressants can help you feel better until you can get a correct diagnosis, which MRI or CT whatever your family dr suggests. I agree with you, you could end up with bleeding ulcer and still not have an accurate diagnosis. Antidepressants are not just for depression, but you might have to try a few first and see what works best for you, most made me sleepy but prozac does not. It has been 3 falls and a long time for you to actually get the correct diagnosis. Every dr can only guess until they actually see the MRI or CT scan results
Good luck

I have severe spinal stenosis at 3-4, 4-5 and L5SI, degenerative joint and disc disease, spondylosis, nerve compression, and am bone-on-bone at many levels. Per MRI there is stenosis and disc disease at every level of my lumbar spine...Surgeon said it's inoperable. At the same time, I have bone-on-bone severe arthritis in both hips as well as labral tears in both and need total hip replacements in both. For many reasons, I'm not ready for hip surgery right now...am also terrified since you need a decent spine to rehab from bilateral hip replacement. But am always searching for some safe remedy and Recently I started taking Curcumin - the anti-inflammatory part of Tumeric herb and glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate with MSM and liquid Omega 3 fish oil. I've heard and read quite a bit that these can all help reduce inflammation and pain and also support degenerating joints. I'm told they don't have bad side effects..though I still think being conservative in doses is a good idea. I worry about side effects of OTC's and prescription meds...so I limit myself on those...the NSAIDs can harm the gut and blood pressure...but I'm in so much pain, I can't sleep and can barely walk at all. They say the natural supplements can take 2-3 months to begin working. I think they have helped...can't tell which since I was so desperate, I started all at the same time.