Shoulder Pain

Shoulder Pain Treatment Near You in New Jersey

Though the shoulder joint is highly mobile, it is also vulnerable to painful conditions. Shoulder pain is a common issue for athletes, older people, and anyone whose shoulder joint is subject to frequent stress. This pain can get in the way of sleep, chores, and favorite pastimes, making it difficult to maintain a high quality of life.

Fortunately, a solution exists for pervasive pain. Bergen Medical Associates has a team of qualified practitioners, including specialists in sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical medicine and rehabilitation, who provide comprehensive shoulder pain treatment to patients in northern New Jersey, helping them get back to their active, pain-free lifestyles. Learn more about shoulder pain, related conditions, and the treatments we offer here.

What Is Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain is any type of pain that affects or originates in the shoulder. What people call the shoulder is actually a complex structure involving several skeletal joints. Multiple bones, in combination with a supportive web of tendons and muscles, enable a wide range of motion. The shoulder can freely bend and twist in nearly any direction, letting a person do everything from scratching their back to catching an overhead fly ball.

While useful, however, this mobility makes the shoulder vulnerable to a variety of ailments. Instability, nerve impingement, and soft tissue inflammation arise from injuries or overuse, leading to pain. Some shoulder pains are only temporary aches. Others manifest as chronic joint pain, meaning that the pain continues for months at a time and will not go away without medical treatment.

What Are Shoulder Pain Symptoms?

The most common symptom of shoulder pain is pain in or around the shoulder. The pain may only appear when the patient moves the shoulder, or it may be constant. It may also affect only the shoulder, or it may radiate down the arm or into the chest. Shoulder pain can occur by itself, or it may be accompanied by other symptoms, including:

• Redness, swelling, or bruising
• Feelings of warmth
• A bump or divot in the shoulder
• Stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• A clicking or popping sound or sensation
• Muscle weakness in the arm
• Tingling or numbness in the arm or hand
• Loss of control over the arm or hand

If a patient experiences any of these symptoms, especially for an extended period, then they should speak with a physician. A medical diagnosis will pinpoint the cause, helping doctors plan an effective treatment to relieve the pain.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

The shoulder is a complex structure, and pain can originate from any of its parts. The damage may also stem from a variety of causes that range from acute injuries to overuse or age-related degradation. Common conditions that can result in shoulder pain include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Tendon tears
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Shoulder instability or separation
• Impingement
• Fractures
• Traumatic injury, such as a fall

Anybody can develop shoulder pain at any age. Certain risk factors, however, can make a person more vulnerable to serious pain conditions. Health and lifestyle traits that may lead to shoulder pain include:

• Being over the age of 45
• Having weak shoulders or tendons
• Consistently sitting or standing with bad posture
• Working a job that requires repetitive shoulder movements
• Participating in a sport with repetitive shoulder movements
• Having experienced a previous shoulder injury

For patients who work a job or play sports that stress the shoulder, proper lifting form is key to avoiding pain. Warming up, cooling down, and stretching will all reduce the likelihood of developing a shoulder condition. Finally, using good posture can help a person avoid shoulder pain.

How Is Shoulder Pain Diagnosed?

To plan the most effective treatment, shoulder pain doctors must first form an accurate diagnosis. The multidisciplinary team at Bergen Medical Associates uses a variety of methods to narrow down options and pinpoint the cause of pain. These methods include:

• Physical examination: The patient is asked to perform certain movements so the physician can evaluate their range of motion and look for signs of inflammation. They may also ask questions about what symptoms the patient is experiencing and when they began.
• Medical history evaluation: The physician reviews the patient’s medical history for past injuries, inherited issues, and other factors that may be involved in the patient’s pain.
• Imaging: An X-ray is used to examine bony structures to look for fractures, bone spurs, or other skeletal issues. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan creates detailed images of soft tissue to identify signs of muscle, cartilage, or connective tissue damage.

What Treatments Are Available for Shoulder Pain?

Once the cause of shoulder pain has been diagnosed, physicians can design an effective treatment plan. Most treatment plans begin with conservative methods before moving into more aggressive interventions as necessary to treat more serious conditions. Some conditions cannot be completely cured at all, only managed. Physicians will discuss the options with the patient, which may include:

• RICE method: Rest, ice therapy, compression, and elevation (RICE) may be used to relieve some temporary forms of shoulder pain.
• Lifestyle changes: Increased or decreased exercise, better warmups and stretching, or quitting smoking may be recommended to relieve or prevent pain.
• Medication: Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Physical therapy: Targeted exercises and stretches are used to increase strength, stability, and mobility in the shoulder for less pain in the long term.
• Surgery: Surgery is used to repair or replace internal structures to directly address the cause of serious shoulder pain.

At Bergen Medical Associates, our team of physicians will work with each patient to determine the cause of their pain and decide on the best treatment option for their lifestyles, symptoms, and needs.

Find Shoulder Pain Relief Near You in New Jersey

Shoulder pain is a common complaint, but it is not inescapable. Bergen Medical Associates is a multidisciplinary team of over 40 board-certified physicians serving northern New Jersey with comprehensive patient care. We offer a wide variety of services, including shoulder pain treatment, to help build a healthier community. To learn more or to get started with a diagnosis, request an appointment today. We have locations in Emerson, Montvale, Northvale, Paramus, and Ridgewood, NJ, making it easy to find treatment near you.