I haven't forged in 10 months or so because of shoulders, back, forearm, eyesight, headaches blah blah blah. Getting old just snuck up on me. For the last few months I've looked into this subject quite alot and I'm getting ready to get back into it soon. Ive avoided surgery thus far. I highly suggest stretch stretch and more stretching. Especially right before forging, also doing some type of light physical therapy to get strength and range of motion back to your problem areas