Shoulder Pain Specialist

Non-Surgical Orthopedic Center

Orthopedics & Physical Medicine located in Oceanside, CA

Your shoulder is the most movable joint in your body, a quality that increases the risk of injury, pain, and instability. Bryan Hawkins, DO, and the team at Non-Surgical Orthopedic Center effectively heal your shoulder with therapies that target the source of your pain, eliminate inflammation, and accelerate healing. To learn about your treatment options for shoulder pain, call the office in Oceanside, California, or schedule an appointment online.

Shoulder Pain Q&A

What causes shoulder pain?

Everyday movement takes a toll on your rotator cuff, which is the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder while allowing the full range of motion. These soft tissues are vulnerable to repetitive movements and they’re likely to become inflamed and painful if your work or athletic activities involve overhead lifting or throwing.

A few of the most common reasons for shoulder pain include:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rotator cuff injury
  • Shoulder dislocation
  • Trigger points or muscle knots
  • Overuse injuries
  • Shoulder bursitis

There are several joints in your shoulder. Arthritis typically affects the large ball and socket joint (the glenohumeral joint) or the acromioclavicular joint, which is where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade.

What shoulder pain treatment might I receive?

Treatment for shoulder pain often requires activity modification to give the tissues time to heal. As soon as possible, you’ll start a stretching and exercise program to rebuild strength and restore your range of motion.

Some patients may benefit from corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation. If you’re diagnosed with osteoarthritis, an injection of hyaluronic acid adds lubrication that relieves stiffness.

The doctors at Non-Surgical Orthopedic Center also offer trigger point injections if your pain is due to muscle knots. They inject a local anesthetic, Sarapin®, and possibly a steroid to relax the muscles and alleviate the pain. Sarapin, or Pitcher Plant, is a natural pain-relieving product the doctors use as an alternative to steroids.

How do platelet-rich plasma and stem cells relieve shoulder pain?

When you need pain relief or your shoulder needs help healing, your doctor at Non-Surgical Orthopedic Center may recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell injections, or both, to enhance your results.

Platelets are packed with proteins called growth factors that accelerate healing and trigger new tissue growth. Stem cells are the source of your body’s regenerative power. They continuously divide, producing new cells that develop into all the different tissues your body needs to heal and repair, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and collagen.

When injecting PRP or stem cells, your doctor at Non-Surgical Orthopedic Center uses ultrasound imaging to see the joint and guide the needle placement. This ensures that your regenerative treatment is placed at the site of the injured tissues, where they can immediately start the healing process.

Without proper treatment, shoulder pain only gets worse. When you need help, call Non-Surgical Orthopedic Center or schedule an appointment online.

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Conditions & Treatments