Background:
In early 2022, I had been suffering for over four months from severe pain in my right arm, radiating from the shoulder to the elbow, particularly noticeable while walking. In my home city Karachi, I sought help from different sources: medical doctors prescribed painkillers and muscle relaxants, and I also visited chiropractors who attempted stretching and leg-pulling techniques. Unfortunately, the relief was minimal, and prolonged use of painkillers had begun to affect my gut health adversely.

Visit to London:
That autumn, I traveled to London for a three-week stay with my daughter and son-in-law. During the second week, while on a guided tour of Lord’s, my daughter observed that I was walking lethargically and appeared preoccupied. When she inquired, I shared the full story of my prolonged pain and limited relief.

Physiotherapy Consultation:
Concerned, my daughter arranged an appointment the very next day with Surrey Physio, a clinic she had visited previously and trusted. During the consultation, the physiotherapist listened attentively as I explained my medical history and recent struggles. They performed gentle neck massages and demonstrated a set of simple exercises using a towel, advising me to practice them regularly over the next 12 days and to return for a follow-up.

As I was scheduled to leave London in a week, I expressed my inability to attend the follow-up session. Nevertheless, I committed to practicing the prescribed exercises diligently.

Outcome:
To my pleasant surprise, within three days of consistent exercise, the persistent pain that had troubled me for months began to subside. By the end of the week, the discomfort had completely vanished. After enduring over four painful months, the swift and lasting relief I experienced from physiotherapy felt nothing short of remarkable.

Reflection:
This experience highlighted for me the value of targeted physiotherapy compared to symptomatic treatments like painkillers and muscle relaxants. What months of medication and chiropractic adjustments could not achieve, a few days of focused physiotherapy exercises accomplished with lasting results.

Kind Regards
Akhtar Wasim Dar