Body talk: What's up Doc? DO you have a health question? Write to: Bodytalk, The Daily Mirror, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP or email healthzone@ mgn.co.uk (Sorry, but our experts cannot answer letters personally).

Q A combination of chiropractic and deep tissue massage is working well to treat a shoulder injury - I tore some muscle and ligament fibres in a fall. Can any natural supplements assist the healing process?

A GP Dr Shirley Bond says: I am a great fan of magnetic therapy for easing muscle pain. In a Japanese study involving 121 patients with severe, chronic shoulder pain, 82 per cent of those treated with high-strength magnets showed significant improvement within four days.

A variety of magnetic products are available for the shoulder area, electromagnetic patches are easy to apply. Select one that provides a field strength of at least 2,000 gauss.

Supplements that help to reduce joint pain and inflammation include vitamin C, omega-3 fish oils, New Zealand green-lipped mussel extracts and Devil's Claw. I would suggest starting with omega-3 fish oils plus a glucosamine supplement and, if pain is a problem, bromelain.

Q I am 48 and have just started HRT to treat my hot flushes and night sweats. Before I began the treatment I was having periods but they were becoming slightly irregular. Can I rely on the HRT for contraception?

A Angela Reynolds from the Family Planning Association says: No, HRT does not contain enough hormones to work as a contraceptive and you should continue to use contraception.

This will be necessary for two years after your last period if that occurs before you are 50, or one year after 50.

When you use HRT it can sometimes be difficult to know if the bleeding you are having is your period, or is due to the HRT. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about any menopausal symptoms you are having and do some blood tests which will help determine when it's time to stop using contraception.

Helpline 0845 310 1334 www.fpa.org.uk