The shoulder has a wide and versatile range of motion. When something goes wrong with your shoulder, it hampers your ability to move freely and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.

The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body. It moves the shoulder forward and backward. It also allows the arm to move in a circular motion, and to move up and away from the body.

Shoulders get their range of motion from the Rotator Cuff. The Rotator Cuff is made up of four tendons. Tendons are the tissues that connect muscles to bone. It may be painful or difficult to lift your arm over your head if the tendons or bones around the Rotator Cuff are damaged or swollen.

You can injure your shoulder by performing manual labor, playing sports, or even by repetitive movement. Certain diseases can bring about pain that travels to the shoulder. These include diseases of the cervical spine of the neck, as well as liver, heart, or gallbladder disease.

You’re more likely to have problems with your shoulder as you grow older. It is especially common after age 60. This is because the soft tissues surrounding the shoulder tend to degenerate with age.

Treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the shoulder pain. Some treatment options include physical or occupational therapy, a sling or shoulder immobilizer, or surgery. Your doctor may also prescribe medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs that your doctor may inject into your shoulder or give by mouth.

If you’ve had surgery on your shoulder, follow after-care instructions carefully. Some minor shoulder pain can be treated at home. Icing the shoulder for 15 to 20 minutes three or four times a day for several days can help reduce pain. Use an ice bag or wrap ice in a towel because putting ice directly on your skin can cause frostbite and burn the skin.

Resting the shoulder for several days before returning to normal activity and avoiding any movements that might cause pain can be helpful. Limit overhead work or activities. Other home treatments include using over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to help reduce pain and inflammation and compressing the area with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling.

The treatment of Shoulder Pain requires an integrated approach uniting the expertise of doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and other members of the healthcare team. Call Us to make an appointment and to check your insurance converage. We have a team of pain management specialists, acupuntures, chiropractics, medical massages and physical therapists. We work together to provide a comprehensive approach to diagnostic and therapeutic care, offering individualized treatment for each patient.