Hi Jas
Thank you for reaching out to us following your stroke. It sounds like the pain and discomfort you are experiencing is having an impact on your day to day activities and sleep.
Complaints of pain following a stroke is not uncommon, particularly on your affected side. Your neck and/or shoulder pain may be contributed to a number of causes:
Here is a link that might help you understand your pain better: https://enableme.org.au/factsheets/pain%20after%20stroke%20fact%20sheet
I would encourage you to discuss this with your local GP who can work with you to identify the cause of your pain. Management strategies can include medications, referral to a physiotherapist or pain management specialists.
A Physiotherapist can also assess your shoulder and neck pain. They can work with you to find more comfortable sleeping positions at night, provide advice and education on your posture and recommend exercises to help maximise your function. You can find a physiotherapist who has experience in stroke rehabilitation in your local area through this link: https://choose.physio/findaphysio
You may be eligible for access to subsidised physiotherapy sessions through the chronic disease management plan which your local GP can organise. Here is a link with more information about accessing subsided allied health services under Medicare: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/22F660E959ABF390CA257BF0001F3CF3/$File/Fact_Sheet_CDM_Individual_Allied_Health_Services_Provider_Info_Feb_14.pdf
If you have any further questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us on Strokeline
1800 787 635.
Carol – Physiotherapist (Strokeline)
Hi Jas -I had similar issues (right shoulder) after my stroke. My GP wrote a plan that got me 5 free physio sessions. I previously had issues with this shoulder (2 surgeries) pre stroke, so with the physio sessions and home exercises and stretches, my shoulder/neck improved greatly.