Hi,
My mother is suffering shoulder pain -- most likely rotator cuff caused by playing tennis.

She had an appointment to go to the dr on Monday/September 15 but everything is shut down because of the hurricane.

I am thinking of buying some arnica lotion and also arnica tablets and overnight mailing them to her by Tuesday when I have some time off work.

The nearest open grocery for her is 10 miles away. They don't even have post office delivery now. But maybe by the time I overnight mail this on Tuesday, they will have some services back up and running.

She is the kind that often suffers in silence.
She does not like to take my med suggestions but if the pain is bad enough, she might try the cream or the tablets. Any other ideas? Anything I can buy in the drug store here and send to her?

Mari

Aleve is what the doc told me.

With my shoulder pain, one of the things that helped was heat or ice.

But I realize she probably doesn't have a way to get the heat in a
wrap.

But you can buy the one's in a store that last for say 8 hours.

That would help a lot. Also they sell the instant heat or ice you
squeeze and they start to work.

Donna

I have had a lot of success with arnica. I hope she uses it. Her injury takes a long time to heal. It happened to me but I didn't go to the doctors. Eventually it healed after months.
Bobby

Thank you.
Aleve.
I can look for instant heat or ice packs.
Also arnica at the health food store.

I also sent her two books from amazon last night about rotator cuff injuries. I think one of the books described exercises that the physical therapist might recommend.
Mostly, I thought the books could give her some general info because she does not like to talk about her body -- even to her own sister who is a nurse (and certainly would not look up stuff on the internet even if she had electricity.
M.

It also gives her something to read period. These days in the hardest
hit areas I think they would appreciate that.


Will have to research when I find some time. I might have books for
the children to help occupy time.

Donna

Also what is Arnica never heard of this.

Wondering if its something I've missed or if my physical therapist gave
me samples of something else that I use.

Donna

Donna,

Arnica is an herb with anti-inflammatory and some healing properties.
It is toxic to swallow unless in homeopathic form.
Here is Dr. Weil on arnica:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA400100
I bought the homeopathic tablets. I don't know if she will take them.


I also bought Traumeel cream.
http://www.heel.com/products/?smid=1&prodID=1&modus=1
It has other herbs in addition to arnica.
The package says for mild to moderate pain. Maybe it will help her.

Mari

Picture of the arnica plant:
http://www.weleda.co.uk/static/Image...e%20flower.jpg

She said that she applied the Traumeel cream (has arnica and other herb-type stuff in it) when she received the package on Sat.
She planned to use one of the instant hot packs (from CVS) when she went to bed tonight.
She also got the two books about shoulder injuries that I sent her from Amazon.
She has an early am appointment with the orthopedic on Monday / 22. I reminded her to ask for a physical therapist referral if the doc thinks it is appropriate.

She normally finds it hard to accept help from others and especially me, so I was happy she called.


Mari

YOu are amazing and a wonderful daughter.
bizi