Deane.......I can't believe that you posted this and I almost missed it. That's exactly what I'm going through now. It started in my left shoulder about 1-2 years ago and now my right shoulder is hurting since last month. It got so bad I had to completely stop weight-lifting.

I originally went to a chiropractor who diagnosed it as a "rotator cuff" problem and treated me regularly for it. He also told me my "shoulder blades" are out of balance and that I needed to do corrective exercises. Finally last month my medical doctor had me take an MRI. They found a small tear but he said "live with it."

I do believe that years of keyboard work, accordion work, and hunching over this darn computer has led up to this. I'm in pain every day. Luckily I can still play, but I think it's just making it worse.

You sound like you're in a better place than I am to fix what's going on with you. I tore the cartilage in my knee a few years back, went to 1/2 dozen orthopedists and doctors and, bottom line is..........no one cares! It's easier to talk to God than it is to talk to an American doctor. They all basically tell you the same thing......this is what's wrong....either have surgery or "live with it." Nothing in-between, like exercise, nutrition, acupuncture, etc.

I haven't figured out what I'm going to do about my rotator cuff situation, but I'll tell you what I'm NOT going to do........waste any more time and money going to your average money-hungry American doctor.

Mark