23-Year-Old, 5'11.5" Tall, Weighing 144lbs: Experiencing Shoulder and Neck Pain Post-Fall
I am currently dealing with persistent pain that extends from my back to the right side of my neck, affecting my shoulder and bicep. This discomfort originated after I slipped while skateboarding, resulting in a fall where I landed on my side with my arms stretched out. The pain is always present, intensifying particularly when I am either seated or standing. I find it difficult to tilt my head in either direction; I can manage to turn it a bit to the right, but I struggle to move it even halfway to the left. Maintaining an upright posture is challenging as well. Initially, I rated the pain as a 4 on a scale of 10, but it has escalated to a level 7 over the course of an hour.
Answers (1)
8/9/2025, 1:01:55 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant discomfort following your fall, particularly in your neck, shoulder, and back. The pain you're describing, which has intensified over time, suggests a possible neck strain or injury to the muscles and connective tissues in that area. Let's focus on managing your pain and promoting recovery.
Explanation:
Your symptoms indicate that you may have strained the muscles or ligaments in your neck and shoulder, especially since you landed on your side with your arms stretched out. Such injuries can result in inflammation and can lead to lasting pain if not properly addressed. Pain that intensifies when seated or standing could be due to muscle tension and poor posture reflecting the discomfort you're experiencing.
Next Steps:
-
Rest and Avoid Strain: Begin by minimizing activities that involve heavy lifting, twisting, or pushing with your arms. Allow your body some time to heal.
-
Ice Application: Apply an ice pack (wrapped in cloth) to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every hour as needed during the first 24-48 hours. This helps reduce swelling and numbs the area.
-
Gentle Stretching: After the first couple of days, gently perform neck stretches. Slowly tilt your head towards each shoulder, holding for a few seconds, without forcing any motion. Stop if the pain worsens.
-
Posture Awareness: Pay attention to your posture during daily activities. Try to sit or stand with your shoulders back and head aligned over your spine. Consider using a supportive chair or cushion while seated.
-
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: If you find it necessary, consider taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as directed on the package, to help manage your pain and inflammation.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your pain levels and any other symptoms. If your pain persists or worsens over the next few days, or if you experience additional issues like numbness or tingling, think about seeking further evaluation.
By following these steps, you should be actively managing your discomfort and promoting recovery from your injury. Please take care and reach out if you have further questions or if your situation changes.
Related Questions
Hematology Results Interpretation Request
Greetings, I'm a 77-year-old female who leads an active lifestyle despite dealing with ongoing chronic back pain attributed to conditions such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis. During my recent annual examination, my hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were notably low; I am usually on the lower end of the spectrum, but this time my hemoglobin registered at just 10.6. The medical team suspects a potential bleed related to my use of NSAIDs. Fortunately, occult blood tests returned normal results. Both a colonoscopy and endoscopy were performed and deemed normal as well. I have discontinued all NSAID usage, yet I find that acetaminophen provides inadequate relief, and I am now reliant on a daily dose of hydrocodone 5/325. Although I have been taking iron supplements somewhat regularly, my fatigue persists. Here are my lab results from this week. I would appreciate any insights you could provide regarding interpretation: # IRON DEFICIENCY PANEL ### % SATURATION |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|6.4 %|20-55 %|final| ### FERRITIN |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|14.7 ng/ml|13-150 ng/ml|final| ### IRON |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|28.20 ug/dL|37-160 ug/dL|final| ### TIBC |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|440 ug/dL|245-400 ug/dL|final| ### TRANSFERRIN |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|314.42 mg/dL|192-382 mg/dL|final| ### UIBC |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|412||final|
Intense Pain in the Lower Back
I am a 31-year-old female who does not smoke or drink. Yesterday morning, I woke up feeling perfectly normal. However, as the day progressed, I began to notice a growing discomfort in my lower back, though it wasn’t alarming at that point. My boyfriend and I decided to visit a vintage market, where I was wearing heeled boots. I casually mentioned to him that my back was a bit sore, but I didn't think it was serious. After our market trip, we enjoyed lunch seated at a high table. Soon after our meal, I expressed that the pain had intensified significantly. Upon returning home and removing my boots, the pain escalated to a level that was quite severe. I spent the entire afternoon and evening lying in bed, only getting up a few times since around 2 PM until now, which is 1:03 AM. During this time, I’ve been applying heat to my back and have used Tiger Balm along with some essential oils that my mom provided for pain relief. I’ve also been alternating between Advil and Tylenol for pain management. While walking is quite uncomfortable, I haven’t experienced any tingling or numbness. However, I did have a few muscle spasms that caused tightness in my lower back accompanied by sharp pain. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Am I Experiencing Silent Heart Attacks?
To give you some background, I'm a 19-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 3 inches and weighing 260 pounds. My weight gain can be largely attributed to a series of psychiatric medications I was prescribed, although I have lost twenty pounds and am continuing to shed more. Over the past year, I have encountered a range of symptoms that have left me perplexed and frustrated. These include severe chest pain, issues with acid reflux, shortness of breath, frequent dizziness, chronic fatigue, and persistent pain localized predominantly on the left side of my body, such as in my arms and legs. Additionally, I have experienced random itchy rashes, swelling in my fingers, toes, hands, and feet, as well as sensations of numbness and tingling, often confined to one side. Notably, I've also struggled with significant brain fog and memory lapses, alongside minor twitches in my eyes, lips, fingers, and limbs, as well as neck, jaw, and back discomfort. My primary healthcare provider attributes all of these symptoms to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and vitamin D, claiming that my dizziness is merely a result of an ear infection—though I lack any other symptoms apart from the dizziness. I am currently on Lamotrigine (300mg, taken twice daily) for focal seizures, which she believes is solely responsible for my dizziness as well. I’ve attempted to communicate that my experiences feel much more dire and that my pain and cognitive difficulties cannot be sufficiently explained by simple vitamin deficiencies. Unfortunately, she insists that, being young, many of my concerns likely stem from these deficiencies or hormonal changes linked to my menstrual cycle. Just a few hours ago, I developed a troublesome itchy rash on my right arm and leg, followed by intense chest pain and difficulty breathing—sometimes feeling as if I need to yawn to take a decent breath. I also experienced indigestion, excessive belching, and sensations of heaviness and tingling in my left arm and shoulder. Now, I’m feeling discomfort radiating from the back of my neck, across my left shoulder, extending into my fingers, and down my left leg, accompanied by the same heavy tingling sensations. While the pain isn't unbearable, it's certainly concerning and distracting. I recently visited the ICU for cold and flu-like symptoms, but tests ruled out covid and the flu. I also don't have a fever, though I still have a slight runny nose. I take Esomeprazole to manage my acid reflux, but its effectiveness has been limited. I do not have diabetes or pre-diabetes, although I am aware that I am overweight. Heart disease runs in my family, and I have a tendency towards health anxiety. Throughout last year, I sought medical attention multiple times for similar symptoms, yet X-rays and blood tests yielded no clear diagnosis. Since my last hospital visit for chest pains, my symptoms have noticeably intensified. For context, both my mother and sister have been diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), but I have not received a formal diagnosis myself. I have high blood pressure that is not currently medicated. Due to the persistent fatigue and pain, my activity level is rather low. I apologize if this message seems disorganized or if I come across as overly anxious. I’m genuinely at a loss regarding the reasons behind my symptoms and how to alleviate them, which is incredibly frustrating, especially when it feels like medical professionals often downplay my concerns. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts!
Concerns About Shoulder Recovery: Eight Weeks After Surgery for Hypermobility Issues
I’m a 34-year-old female diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). I underwent surgery on December 11 for a rotator cuff and labrum repair, along with tightening my shoulder joint to better accommodate my hypermobility. Recently, I was asked to leave physical therapy early on Monday due to experiencing noticeable clicking sounds and unexpected pain in my shoulder. Throughout the week, I have been dealing with intermittent discomfort, prompting me to follow up with my surgeon this past Friday. After examining my shoulder and taking an X-ray, he expressed optimism that targeted muscle strengthening could help stabilize the area. However, today has been particularly challenging, as I’ve been in a near-constant state of pain. Simple tasks, such as lifting a cup of coffee, have become difficult, and any movement of my arm exacerbates the pain. It feels as if my shoulder isn’t seated properly, and I can’t seem to reposition it. I plan to reach out to my surgeon’s office in the morning for further guidance, but in the meantime, I would appreciate any insights from others who may have experienced similar issues. I’m feeling quite disheartened and generally prefer to avoid the emergency room when possible. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Severe Discomfort in Left Side Affects Sleep and Appetite
I’m an 18-year-old female experiencing extreme discomfort. As mentioned in the title, this pain began around five hours ago and has reached such a level that I can hardly eat or get any rest. The source appears to be my left armpit, from which the sensation travels down my arm and across the left side of my chest. I desperately need help to alleviate this issue, primarily because I’m deprived of sleep. Since I drank alcohol earlier, I can't take any painkillers like Advil. I also attempted to reach out to the non-emergency medical line in my area, but unfortunately, my phone service wouldn't connect my call. I didn’t want to add to my stress by dealing with customer support while feeling this way. I would appreciate any suggestions to relieve this pain. I've tried various methods like stretching and changing my position, but nothing seems to provide relief. The pain doesn't feel muscle-related, nor is it superficial; rather, it's a persistent internal ache that I find hard to articulate, yet it's quite dull. Any guidance would be immensely valued as I navigate this discomfort.