Shoulder Pain Brooklyn, NY
- Rotator Cuff & Joint Care
- SoftWave-First Approach
- No Drugs or Surgery
Pain in the shoulders is one of the best examples of referred pain. The source of the pain can be in a different location in the body, and I’m going to treat the root cause instead of just the symptom for long-term relief. I’m Dr. Brian Donovan, and at our Nuro Chiropractic clinic in Brooklyn, I oversee a lot of people experiencing this condition.
Where you feel pain and where the problem originates are not always the same place. Shoulder pain is just a location, but not the final diagnosis.
Common Signs of Shoulder Problems
- Deep ache through the shoulder
- Sharp pain that reaches the head
- Difficulty putting on a jacket
- Pain reaching behind the back
- Weakness while lifting
- Cannot sleep on that side
Shoulder problems can present in different ways. Some people experience popping sounds when they raise their arms, while others may feel discomfort when doing activities like swimming. Some patients point squarely at the shoulder when the source is actually the cervical spine.
How Do I Evaluate Shoulder Pain in Our Brooklyn Clinic?
- 1 Visit our clinic today to know the root cause of the shoulder pain. We will check if there are injuries, what movements make the pain worse, and how this condition affects your daily activities.
- 2 We will assess your current strength and determine if there’s tenderness in the painful area. Afterward, there will be a series of orthopedic tests conducted on some structures that may be involved.
- 3 There will be a comparison of how far you can move your arm on your own without help. If you’re struggling to raise it, this can be a rotator cuff issue, and if both movements are restricted, it can be a case of adhesive capsulitis or other conditions.
- 4 We will examine the cervical spine and run a neurological examination when there is numbness or tingling, or other symptoms that cannot be explained by the initial findings.
Digital X-rays can be done to identify fractures in the bones but know that they may not show the current condition of muscles like the rotator cuff that connect the upper arm bone to the shoulder blade. If the doctor suspects a significant tear that could change the treatment plan, an MRI can be a more appropriate exam for better accuracy.
Treatment Options Available in the Clinic
- For relatively mild pain, we can start with some stretching exercises to improve mobility. We can also recommend instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and check for progress.
- If there are chronic tendon problems like a calcific tendinopathy, we will recommend SoftWave therapy, which is known to help in these kinds of conditions.
- For cervical problems, we will select the appropriate chiropractic care, and do some adjustments to address the root cause of the problem.
The goal of the treatment is not just to alleviate pain but to restore strength. This means that we are aiming to improve the weight that your rotator cuff can handle, and we will do our best to improve the movements of your shoulder blades. If you want to lift heavy objects but you notice that your shoulders are aching afterwards, then that means that the therapy is not yet finished.
When Does a Shoulder Need Medical Evaluation?
There are cases of unexplained shoulder pain that may result in shortness of breath or fainting. In these situations, the patient needs urgent medical evaluation from a doctor instead of going into chiropractic care. A heart attack can also produce pain that’s felt around the shoulders, so this is considered a medical emergency.
This is also the case when there’s severe swelling in the shoulders after an accident, or one can’t simply use their arms. Watch out for sudden weakness after an injury because it can be a sign of a dislocation that needs a thorough medical assessment.
Others, like progressive neurological weakness may call for an MRI, or one should see a neurologist for a more accurate diagnosis. This is also the same thing for swollen shoulders that comes with a fever.
Shoulder Pain FAQs
Is my shoulder pain coming from my neck?
Yes. There are times that this is the case, and this is something that I routinely check in our clinic. Certain clues can include pain that’s traveling below the elbow or tingling that doesn’t go away. When we test the shoulders and we don’t get the answers that we need, the next place that we look at is the neck because this may be the root cause of the problem.
What is frozen shoulder and how long does it last?
An adhesive capsulitis can restrict motion, and we identify it through examination. It usually progresses through several stages over time, so setting realistic expectations is especially important. Treatment focuses on managing pain and helping you stay comfortable while this is ongoing.
Can a rotator cuff tear heal without surgery?
Yes. Many partial tears can do well with certain treatments, and many people can function again through non-surgical care. On the other hand, a large tear deserves orthopedic evaluation, and we will let you know what the best course to take is during evaluation.
Why does my shoulder hurt more at night?
Nighttime shoulder pain is common, especially when lying on the affected side puts pressure on already irritated tissues. Changing your sleeping position may provide temporary relief, but lasting improvement depends on identifying the underlying cause of the irritation, and this is where targeted exercises come in.
Should I stop lifting weights until it settles?
We usually modify your workouts rather than stop them altogether. Overhead pressing may be temporarily removed while you continue other exercises that your shoulder can tolerate. For athletes and lifters the goal is to help you gradually return to lifting, not just to feel comfortable while resting.
Schedule Your Chiropractic Consultation
At Nuro Chiropractic, Dr. Brian Donovan offers customized treatment plans for back pain, neck pain, and injuries. Your care begins with a thorough assessment, followed by a clear treatment plan tailored to your needs. Call our Brooklyn office today to set up your consultation.