Roger
I had a very similiar condition. Could not lower my arm from above my head - had to hold it up to relieve pain which was extreme. My doctor wanted to operate and put me in hospital, but I decided to try traction first before surgery. Doctor said that it won't work, but I had a traction pull rigged up on a window frame and with a head harness got a straight pull from a recliner. I gradually and carefully increased weight pull on my head to pull spine back into alignment.(My wife did most of work for me) This took a long time and work. In about three months I could function without the pain and haven't had much since, but if I feel pain coming back I start some mild traction. This was ten years ago and have been fine with no surgery.