My shoulder keeps hurting and popping where it shouldn't, who can I see about this?

I've had pain in both my shoulders for a while now. The pain subsides for a while whenever my shoulders "pop". My arm strength has been weakened in both arms since this has happened, and some days the pain is almost unbearable. Certain situations exacerbate the problem: poor posture, sleeping on a couch, etc. However, when I went to an orthopedic surgeon, he said nothing was the matter (he took x-rays). Is there some alternative medicine I can use, some acupuncture, rolfing, chiropractor, muscle manipulation, massage therapy, etc that can help this specifically?

Oh, and I popped it for the doctor and he noted that it was strange and recommended that I see a physical therapist. Well, I didn't go because I just blew $80 on this visit that produced no results. A, "nothing is wrong, but maybe you can go and do this" was no the definitive answer I had sought!

Gee, I hate to second guess a doctor. There are things like tendinitis and bursitis, but I'm sure he would have mentioned it if he thought you had it.

Don't write off the physical therapist because you think the doctor suggested it as a throw-away idea. It may be what you need.

Physical therapy strengthens your muscles and teaches you different ways to do things, such as better posture, if the way you stand is affecting another body part. Working the muscles properly can relieve pain and develop better mobility.

I had to do PT after a fall injured my shoulder and it became impossible to raise my arm above shoulder high. The physical therapist told me that a small muscle in my shoulder had atropied when I wasn't using it. She taught me exercises to strengthen that muscle and regain its movement. Today I have full use of the arm again.

It's possible a PT can solve your problem, too.

You need MRI of your shoulders and possibly Arthroscopic Surgery of both shoulders . See an orthopedic or sports surgeon specializing in Shoulder surgery .

Details maybe hard to find in your case, a Sports doctor may know what is happening or not. A Chiropractor might be able to help but there is no way to know till you see one. The Orthopedic Surgeon would be looking for some thing that he coudl cut on to fix your problem, so he may have missed a soft tissue problem that was casing you pain. A Phycisial Therapist might be about to tell you more.

It sounds as if the musculature of the shoulders is lax, and allowing you to hyper-extend the joint. The popping sound is produced exactly like you would crack the knuckles on your hand- though of course in the shoulder and arm it's not a good thing. As long as it isn't doing a dislocation, technically there isn't anything "wrong", at least not that a doctor could really fix. The physical therapist would be a good bet, since they can evaluate the muscles and help you do exercises to help strengthen it. Another option would be to see a Doctor of Osteopathy- D.O. instead of a M.D. They do manipulations and PT like a chiropracter, but also can provide medication if it's needed. The whole approach is a lot more holistic, treating things to assist the body to heal rather than leaping in with a lot of drugs unless they will really help. It sounds like you are early in the process of developing a problem, and if you can nip it now you might be able to avoid having a surgical repair down the road. So see if you can find a D.O., or reconsider the PT.

HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM---STOOD IN SHOWER , WITH FACE CLOTH COVERING AFFECTED AREA AND TURNED ON THE HOT WATER AS HOT As I COULD STAND IT,MESSAGING THE SHOULDER MUSCLES---GREAT PAIN RELIEF RESULTED---ALSO DID THIS TO MY LOWER BACK SPASM AREA, BUT, FOLLOWED UP WITH 100%"GRIT YOUR TEETH& YELL, IF NECESSARY" COLD WATER,ALSO MESSAGING DURING THE "POUR"----THE FOLLOW-UP WITH THE COLD DID NOT WORK ON MY SHOULDER AS IT DID WITH THE LOWER BACK SPASM AREA!!!!---HOPE THIS WORKS FOR YOU!!!

jus a short and simple answer: a chiropractor, they alwayz have the answer or go get a deep tissue massage

See if you can get an MRI or an X Ray. My husbands spine was broken, it did not show up on an MRI, but it did on the simple X Ray. I have the same problem with my shoulder also. I just take a hot shower, or bath with epsom salt. Then, i rub a muscle cream on it. Works for a while, then i have to do it again. Usually every couple of weeks, depending on my usage.

Have you checked for frozen shoulder? May be a case of frozen shoulder with you, it does not show in the x-rays.
Try acupuncture it helps. So does acupressure and physiotherapy. I have tried ice and hot water massage, alternating, and TENS - it did my patients a lot of good. Try thawing your shoulders and do some exercises you may feel better.

Find a local "chiropractic orthopedist" because they have the best training in musculoskeletal problems. Try any of these organizations:
http://www.dcorthoacademy.com/
http://www.ccodc.org/
http://accoweb.org/
http://www.abconet.com/