Shoulder Pain

What causes shoulder pain?

Your shoulder is a complex joint made up of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. The complexity of your shoulder joint allows you to scratch your back, throw a football, and raise your hand when you have a question. These functions also make your shoulder vulnerable to injury and pain.

For many, shoulder pain develops due to disease or damage to the parts that make up your shoulder joint. Common causes of shoulder pain include:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Rotator cuff tears
• Impingements
• Fractures
• Dislocations

Shoulder pain can also develop due to conditions that affect your cervical spine (neck bones), like degenerative disc disease, a herniated disc, or arthritis. These conditions can irritate the nerves that provide sensory information to your shoulder, resulting in pain.

How do I know if my shoulder pain is related to my neck?

The medical experts at NovaSpine Pain Institute specialize in conditions that affect the cervical spine and use the latest diagnostic tools and tests to assess spine health and determine if the structures in your spine are causing your shoulder pain.

During your evaluation, the team reviews your symptoms, the onset of your pain, and your medical history. Your doctor also does an examination and could order tests to assess muscle function and strength.

To further evaluate your spine and determine if nerve irritation is the cause of your shoulder pain, your doctor can request diagnostic tests like an X-ray, MRI, or electromyography (EMG).

How is shoulder pain treated?

Your doctor at NovaSpine Pain Institute develops individualized treatment plans that manage your shoulder pain. 

Treatment will depend on the cause of your pain, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall health. Initially, the team will recommend conservative treatments like anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy.

If your shoulder pain is related to your cervical spine and the pain isn’t improving with conservative treatments, the team could suggest:

• Cervical epidural steroid injection
• Cervical medial branch block
• Cervical facet joint injection
• Cervical radiofrequency ablation

The full-service pain management practice also offers regenerative therapies, which would be recommended if your pain is related to arthritis or an injury.

For comprehensive care of your shoulder pain by a team that offers innovative treatments, contact NovaSpine Pain Institute by phone or use the online contact form.