Shoulder Pain Specialist

When should I be concerned about shoulder pain?

When shoulder pain interferes with your daily function and interrupts sleep, it needs medical attention. At Isaac Medical Group, Dr. Isaac provides an integrated approach to help determine the cause of your pain and develop a treatment strategy that may help you avoid invasive surgery.

The following symptoms are indicative of pain that needs medical attention:

• Limited range of motion
• Shoulder stiffness
• Pain when raising your arm to the side or overhead
• Pain while sleeping on one side
• Swelling or redness around the joint

When you get an early diagnosis and start treatment right away, you can prevent long-term dysfunction and complications associated with shoulder pain.

What causes shoulder pain?

The shoulder is a remarkable joint. It boasts a wide range of motion, which makes it functional for all sorts of activities, but this also puts it at risk of instability and injury. Common reasons you might have shoulder pain include:

• Dislocation
• Arthritis
• Torn rotator cuff
• Sprain or strain
• Frozen shoulder
• Joint inflammation
• Tendonitis

Shoulder pain can also be due to issues in your spine. When certain nerves are compressed in the cervical region, you can suffer from radiating pain through the shoulder and arm. 

How is shoulder pain diagnosed?

You undergo a comprehensive physical exam and review of your health history to narrow down the possible reasons for your shoulder pain. Dr. Isaac asks about daily activities that could lead to pain, including certain exercises or work tasks, such as painting, carpentry, or working at a computer.

Isaac Medical Group may order imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, or run lab tests to help make a diagnosis. You also undergo a complete musculoskeletal evaluation to determine the origins of your pain—whether it comes from the joint itself or other issues in the spine. 

What is the treatment for shoulder pain?

Of course, your treatment depends on the reason for your pain. Acute injuries such as a shoulder sprain may be treated with medications and rest. Chronic pain may benefit from chiropractic manipulations and physical therapy.

To learn more about how you can find relief from unpleasant shoulder pain, call Isaac Medical Group, or book online to schedule an appointment.