Finding Long Lasting Relief From Shoulder Pain in Dallas, TX

You probably don't think about your shoulders until one hurts. Shoulder pain can make simple tasks like brushing and drying your hair, fastening a bra behind your back, or reaching overhead seem daunting. Common shoulder conditions are more likely to cause shoulder pain as you age. Pain can start slowly or suddenly and range from mild to severe.

What is Chronic Shoulder Pain?

Treatment for chronic shoulder pain depends on the cause. Complex shoulder joints allow for a shoulder rom. Due to its complexity, overuse and injury can damage it. Joint pain can result from damage to structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Chronic shoulder pain lasts longer than 6 months. Pain may be constant or only present when the shoulder moves.

How to Treat Shoulder Pain? 

You can't always pinpoint the cause of shoulder pain. It can happen with neck problems like arthritis and disc herniations. If you're in pain or know you injured your shoulder, see a doctor right away to get diagnosed. If you have mild shoulder pain, try adjusting your activities, taking acetaminophen or an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and stretching to see if it improves. 

Treatments By Cause

Chronic shoulder pain treatments vary by cause. The following sections discuss possible causes and treatments.

Bursitis

The following symptoms may indicate shoulder bursitis: 

The shoulder joint may experience:

• Dull, aching pain

• Swelling

• Flushing or tenderness

• Increased pain when moving or pressing on it

Bursitis treatment involves allowing the bursa to heal.

Other treatments include: 

• Resting and gently stretching

• Taking NSAIDs

• Taking corticosteroids

• Rare antibiotic use

• Undergoing rare surgery

Tendinitis 

The term “tendinitis” refers to tendon inflammation. The most common shoulder tendinitis is rotator cuff. Most tendinitis cases are caused by overuse. Multiple months of treatment usually include the following:

• Modifying normal activities while resting

• Taking anti-inflammatory drugs

• Undergoing physical therapy and taking corticosteroids

• In severe cases, doctors may recommend surgery. Postsurgical rehabilitation and pain relief may take a year.

Tendon Tear

Tendons can tear from overuse or acute injury. Rotator cuff and bicep tears are common shoulder tendon tears. Tendon tears may be treated as follows:

• Applying ice taking NSAIDs

• Resting the shoulder joint undergoing physical therapy receiving corticosteroid injections undergoing surgery

Shoulder Injury

Shoulder pain can result from dislocations, fractures, or other acute shoulder injuries. Acute shoulder injuries are treated differently depending on type and severity. Some injuries heal naturally. If the damage is severe or ligaments are torn, surgery may be needed.

Nerve Damage

When bones, cartilage, or tendons compress a nerve, it becomes pinched. Treatment options for pinched nerve shoulder blade include: 

• Physical therapy

• Pain-relieving medications (NSAIDs or corticosteroids)

• Wearing a cervical collar to reduce neck movement and nerve irritation.

• Undergoing surgery

Arthritis

Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis can cause left shoulder pain. The following are typical shoulder arthritis treatments:

• Resting, avoiding activities that cause or exacerbate pain, taking NSAIDs, and receiving joint corticosteroid injections can temporarily alleviate pain and inflammation.

• To alleviate pain, apply ice or moist heat to the affected joint daily and engage in light exercises.

• Shoulder Pain Doctor in Dallas may recommend debridement or joint replacement for severe arthritis.

• Some people take supplements to treat joint pain, but there is little evidence they work.

Tumors

Growths in shoulder structures can cause chronic shoulder pain. Such growths can be benign or cancerous. Shoulder tumor treatment depends on cancer status. Slow-growing benign tumors may not need treatment. A person with a cancerous tumor may need chemotherapy, radiation, or both.

Other Treatments for Shoulder Pain

No shoulder pain treatment is specific because it depends on the injury.

• Shoulder Dislocation: Dislocated shoulders must be reinserted immediately to avoid complications. The most common treatment is closed reduction or manipulation. This must be done in the ER because doing it yourself can cause more damage. A doctor and another medical professional physically realign your arm and shoulder. The procedure is painful, so you may need sedation.

• To prevent the shoulder from dislocating again, wear a sling to keep it in place and prevent your arm from pulling on it. Ice and over-the-counter painkillers may help. You may need physical therapy. A physical therapist will help you move your arm to avoid shoulder stiffness. To protect your shoulder, therapy strengthens surrounding muscles. If closed reduction fails, surgery may be needed to reposition it.

• Separated Shoulder: A separated shoulder usually only requires a sling, ice packs, and painkillers. You may need physical therapy, and your doctor will tell you when to lift overhead or heavy weights. Shoulder separation surgery is rare, but severe separations may require it.

• Broken Shoulder: A broken shoulder will often heal with a sling. However, shoulder fractures may require surgery to repair the bones and other damage. If your fracture is severe, your doctor may recommend arthroplasty.

• Rotator Cuff Tears: Rotator cuff tears require surgery, but not all do. Your pain doctors in Hillsboro may prescribe a sling, NSAIDs, physical therapy, or steroid shots for minor tears.

• Other injuries mostly. Rest, NSAIDs, and physical therapy are the first-line treatments for most shoulder injuries. Pain management in Dallas may prescribe cortisone. If these fail, surgery may be needed.

Complementary Treatments 

Some shoulder pain sufferers find relief with complementary treatments. The NHS provides acupuncture. Complementary therapies are best for sudden shoulder pain without injury. You should consult your doctor before using them in case they interact with your current treatments.

Make sure the therapist or supplier is registered, insured, and has an ethical code before starting treatment. We explain complementary treatment licensing organizations and what to expect from complementary and alternative therapists. You will likely pay for complementary treatments, so consider whether they are helping your condition before continuing them.

Expectations When You Visit Doctor 

At your physical exam, your doctor of the Pain Clinic in Plano will examine your shoulder. To understand your shoulder issue, the provider will ask questions. Blood or imaging tests like x-rays or MRIs may help diagnose the issue.

Your doctor may suggest shoulder pain treatments like:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

• Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation.

• Physical therapy

• Surgery after all other treatments fail

• Your doctor will likely recommend self-care and exercises for rotator cuff issues.

Summary