United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My daughter Kayla is 11. She has been complaining of her non injuried shoulder hurting. I am sure it is just from over using it. She has very little use of the BPI side so she mostly uses her left. I have been massaging it as well as she is taking motrin. Is there anything else that would help her?

Angie

I would suggest helping her out with the more physically demanding tasks. I know shes only eleven but maybe give her simple chores to do? Carry the heavier things for her. Also you could try ice or heat when her shoulder is sore.
Becky

Angie,
Kayla is old enough for you to read and share with her,the posts we adults with OBPI's have written here on "Overuse of our Unaffected limbs,especially arms. On this Message Board type in "Overuse" in the SEARCH FORUM Box at the Forums List Page, and all posts should come up. I'll try to find some and Bump the up for you.

HUGS,
Carolyn J

Angie
It might be best if you spoke to a PT/OT about getting some therapy for her.
We tend to overuse the unaffected arm and cause problems and pain. She needs to learn how to do things in a different way so that she is not constantly twisting her spine and overusing her unaffected arm.

What little I could do with my obpi arm my mother assigned certain tasks for each arm/hand.
If it were not for her making me use my robpi arm hand I probably would never use it at all and my unaffected arm would be worse.

There is a PT method called Feldenkrais and it might be worth looking into.
I know a few parents who used this method to teach the children to better use their entire body.

http://www.feldenkrais.com/

I looked into for me but could not find a therapist in my area for adults.
I wanted to correct some issues I have due to compensation.

It's worth taking a look at and asking other parents about.

Kath robpi/adult

Thank you everyone for your response.

I will look into and try out all your suggestions.

Angie

I would also suggest PT/OT. she might be able to get some relief with kinesio tape, I used it on both sides to reduce/relieve pain. Also helpful were ultrasound and massage. Strengthening of the non bpi arm will probably help some too. Swimming realy helped my pain too!
Good luck finding something that works to relieve to pain!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN