Shoulder Pain Treatment in Stuart, FL

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

At Harbour Medical Centers, we approach every new patient encounter the same way – with a thorough consultation and examination. In the consultation, your case manager will ask you several questions about your history of this problem and any other problems you are experiencing. They want to know about any past traumas you’ve experienced, your day-to-day activities and hobbies, and what kind of work you do. These things provide valuable insight into your shoulder pain’s origins and where it could have developed. Additionally, your doctor wants to understand how this has affected you and your quality of life. This is your opportunity to help your doctor truly understand you, and our doctors are here to listen.

After the consultation and history, the doctor will perform an examination to determine what is causing your shoulder pain. They will perform tests such as Range of Motion, Diagnostic Ultrasound, orthopedic testing, neurologic testing, and palpation to rule in or rule out certain shoulder conditions. The doctors’ job is to put the puzzle pieces together based on this information. Based on their findings, they will give you their best recommendations for care on how to best address this problem and help you accomplish your goals. In most cases, X-rays will be needed to understand your condition further. The purpose is not to cause you further concern; instead, it is merely to ensure our medical providers are not missing anything regarding your shoulder pain.

Passive Therapy Technology

Electrically-based passive therapy and other soft tissue rehabilitation are crucial to our success in treating shoulder pain at Harbour Medical Centers. Many different muscles surround the shoulder, and it is common for these muscles to become tight and irritated due to everyday life. Our passive therapists are experts in alleviating the tension that builds up in these muscles, which can increase both the range of motion and function of the shoulder. They will work to address the specific locations of dysfunction and help restore proper shoulder mechanics so you can get back to feeling great again.

Also, our medical providers are trained in various soft tissue techniques that effectively treat different shoulder conditions. One technique is the Active Release Technique, in which the doctor shortens the specific muscle, applies tension, and then lengthens and stretches the muscle through its full range of motion. This technique breaks up muscle adhesions that develop and become deeply rooted in muscle tissue over time.

Another soft tissue technique that is effective in reducing muscle adhesions is Pulse Wave therapy, in which the doctor uses an advanced and proven electrically based technology that sends healing pulses into the tissue to break up the adhesions and attract blood flow to the site so the tissue can heal properly. No matter your preference, Harbour Medical Centers is the place to go for your shoulder muscle needs.

Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan

The shoulder’s glenohumeral joint is the most mobile joint in the human body. The rotator cuff muscles surround the joint to assist with movement and provide some stability, but not nearly as much as other ball and socket joints like the hip. Striking the right balance of mobility and stability is essential when treating a shoulder condition, and our doctors and therapists at Harbour Medical Centers are well-positioned to help you with your shoulder pain.

In the exam process, our doctors will identify areas of weakness or restriction in your shoulder. From there, they work closely with our therapists to develop a custom exercise plan to address your unique needs. If your shoulder is weak, it likely means more strengthening and stabilizing is necessary. If your shoulder is too restricted, it may need more stretching and mobility work to improve its range of motion. Many kinds of shoulder conditions can cause pain, and our job is to diagnose your problem and put you on the right path toward healing and resolution.

Specific Joint Alignment Care

Many joints are a part of the shoulder. The glenohumeral joint, where the humerus meets the scapula, is the most widely known. Two other shoulder joints commonly cause issues: the AC joint (where the collar bone meets the scapula) and the SC joint (where the collar bone meets the sternum). Joint restriction and misalignment can occur at any of these joints, and our medical providers are trained to adjust these joints to provide pain relief and restore motion and function.

Our medical providers will also take a global approach to your shoulder issue, ensuring the areas around your shoulder are functioning well, too. It is common for people with shoulder pain to experience neck or upper back pain, and chiropractors are experts at helping people with those types of discomfort. At the Harbour Medical Centers, we take this approach with every patient to ensure they receive the best care possible.

Deep Tissue Laser

At Harbour Medical Centers, we leverage technology to help us stay on top of musculoskeletal conditions like shoulder pain. The most common technology we use is called Deep Tissue Laser. Laser works through photobiomodulation, in which red light penetrates deep into damaged tissue down to the cellular level. This process reduces inflammation and accelerates the healing process. Treatment takes about 3-5 minutes to complete, and it is very comfortable. At most, you will feel a soothing warmth in the treatment area.

Deep Tissue laser has numerous applications for shoulder conditions, making it an effective tool for our doctors to use as part of your shoulder pain treatment plan. It can help muscles and tendons heal by stimulating healing and inflammation reduction. It can reduce inflammation in damaged joints in the shoulder complex. The applications are vast, so it is a go-to therapy for our medical providers.

Bursitis

In and around the shoulder joints exist tiny, fluid-filled sacs called bursae. These sacs provide cushioning and support for the shoulder joint, so there isn’t as much pressure on the adjacent bones of each shoulder joint. Due to overuse and wear and tear, bursae can become inflamed, which causes a condition called bursitis. Bursitis typically causes pain on top of or outside the shoulder. Lifting an arm overhead or rotating it in circles can aggravate the bursae and increase pain. This is problematic because we use our shoulders for so many different movements involving the arm.

Many people take medications and cortisone injections to treat bursitis, but it is effectively managed through natural means. Deep Tissue Laser therapy is a fantastic way to treat bursitis because the light energy helps reduce inflammation in the bursae and allows them to heal correctly. Gentle movement exercises can also be effective in helping the bursae to heal, and our trainers can assist you with doing these exercises safely. At home, you can use ice periodically throughout the day to decrease inflammation and shoulder pain and assist the healing process.

Shoulder Sprain

Many people confuse the terms “strain” and “sprain”. Simply put, “strain” occurs in muscles, while “sprains” occur in ligaments, which connect bones. The shoulder has several ligaments that keep the shoulder and arm bones connected and relatively stable. Due to trauma or overuse, it is possible to sprain these ligaments, meaning fibers of the ligament become damaged. This can cause pain and inflammation, resulting in both discomfort and loss of function in the shoulder.

With shoulder sprains, stability becomes the critical factor. Joints can sometimes be looser when ligaments are damaged, so we don’t want to mobilize the joint further. Thus, stabilizing exercises are the primary method utilized to treat shoulder sprains. At Harbour Medical Centers, our therapists focus on building strength and stability in the shoulder muscles while the damaged ligaments heal over time. We also utilize Advanced Injections and Deep Tissue Laser to further assist in and accelerate the healing process of the damaged ligaments. Surgery may be required if there is a complete rupture of the ligament, but this is not always the case. If the problem is identified promptly, it can usually be resolved through conservative treatment methods.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as Degenerative Arthritis, is when the affected joint wears down over time. It results in decreased joint space and inflammation, which can be painful and limit the shoulder’s ability to function. Some risk factors for developing osteoarthritis include but are not limited to, age, weight, past injuries, and repetitive motions/stress to the joint over time. It can affect any joint in the body, but the shoulder is a particularly common location for it to occur.

Osteoarthritis cannot be reversed but can be appropriately managed to slow or halt progression. This makes treatment extremely important. At Harbour Medical Centers, we utilize proven non-invasive medical approaches, chiropractic adjustments, and weight-bearing exercises to help strengthen the joint and improve mobility. We must preserve as much range of motion and function as possible to decrease the chance of its detrimental impact on a person’s quality of life. If managed diligently, we can diminish the impact of osteoarthritis, allowing you to enjoy your life and the activities you love to do.

Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that surround and support the glenohumeral joint in the shoulder, providing some stability in keeping that joint from dislocating. Rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common shoulder injuries. Straining a rotator cuff muscle can present with a deep ache in the shoulder that worsens with many different shoulder movements. It is common in athletes and those who work with their arms a lot, such as construction workers.

Most rotator cuff injuries can be resolved through entirely natural means. We use non-invasive advanced injections, chiropractic, electrically based passive therapy, and therapeutic exercises to ensure proper joint movement, joint stabilization, and tissue healing. Utilizing ice and being diligent with exercises and stretches at home can ensure that your recovery from a rotator cuff injury is smooth and hassle-free. For more serious rotator cuff injuries, including more extensive tears or even ruptures, other treatments, such as advanced injections, as seen on our diagnostic ultrasound, may be required. Regardless, it is vital to assess your shoulder as quickly as possible so we can implement the right strategy for care.