“It should really say, ‘My experience with the NHS and my painful shoulder’, as no NHS physio was involved… Well, it all began with a nagging shoulder pain, primarily at job ‘A’ during furniture deliveries. Then, it worsened, with my shoulder hurting even at job ‘B’—my gym-based job. And the surprise? It wasn’t while lifting weights but rather while working on a computer. So, what did I do? I booked an appointment with a GP, expecting a referral to a physiotherapist for my musculoskeletal injury. But, alas, no such luck. Instead, I was advised to rest, take paracetamol, and hope for the best. Needless to say, that didn’t quite solve the problem. Feeling frustrated, I sought help from a private physiotherapist, who, incidentally, had extensive experience with gym and sports injuries. And what a difference it made! They conducted a thorough assessment, pinpointed flaws in my weightlifting technique, provided targeted deep tissue massage, and prescribed home and gym exercises. I was amazed by the results. Simply adjusting my weightlifting technique nearly resolved the issue, and diligently following the rehab exercises further alleviated the pain. Though I didn’t stick to the exercises consistently, having to resume them whenever the shoulder issue resurfaced, the time and money invested in private physiotherapy proved invaluable. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about my experience with the NHS. And let’s not forget, NHS services aren’t entirely free for those who work and pay National Insurance. It seems my NHS ordeal wasn’t unique to me; many others likely endure similar experiences.”