Shoulder Pain Treatment in NJ

Get fast, long-lasting shoulder pain relief in New Jersey

Do you suffer with achy pain between your shoulder blades? Is there numbness or tingling down your arm? Are you experiencing a sharp pain at the “point” of the shoulder? Do you have trouble raising your arm to comb your hair or slip on a sweater?

Pain is an external warning that something may be wrong within the shoulder joint. Therefore, addressing the problem at the root level with a professional program of shoulder pain therapy is vital. Conversely, by avoiding treatment, the stage may be set for drug dependency and a re-occurrence of shoulder pain.

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body. It includes four tendons that hold muscle to bone. Together, these four rotator cuff tendons stabilize the upper arm bone to the shoulder socket, allowing for a wide range of motion. Every time you raise an arm over your head, a series of specific actions must transpire in the correct order and with precise timing. This coordinated motion of joints and muscles is called “scapulo-humeral rhythm” – scapulo refers to the shoulder blade (scapula) and humeral refers to the large bone of the arm (humerus). Simply because the shoulder can move in this way, it has the potential to become injured, especially with overuse or structural and muscular imbalances.

Pain and stiffness go together with a variety of shoulder disorders or injuries. Shoulder pain generally increases from a light tingle to a dull ache, especially at night or sleeping on the shoulder affected. Many daily activities, including traumatic events (falling on an outstretched arm, “yanking” of the arm), repetitive motions (throwing a ball, dancing, swimming or exercising) and chronic, improper postures (operating a computer, cradling a phone on your shoulder, driving or sleeping) can cause discomfort, pain and/or a “sticking” of the shoulder blade to the rib cage beneath. When the shoulder blade no longer participates in the group effort to move the arm, additional strain is placed on the other joints and muscles causing them to become overworked, inflamed and painful.

There are many factors leading to shoulder injury and pain. These include referred pain from the neck, bursitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, calcific tendonitis (calcium deposits within a tendon), shoulder instability, shoulder dislocation, shoulder separation, ligament injury (Acromio-Clavicular tear), arthritis, SLAP lesion and bicep tendon rupture.

Like any other pain condition, the sooner you seek appropriate care... the quicker your pain will be eliminated, allowing you to go back to normal activities! We are the premier non-surgical clinic offering the most effective tools for treating acute and chronic shoulder pain. Our Healthcare Team works together to create customized treatment programs, which result in lasting shoulder pain relief. In addition, we have integrated our team approach with the most effective and revolutionary equipment and supports, allowing us to correctly deal with almost every shoulder problem quickly, effectively and safely!

Are you frustrated with chronic shoulder pain? Get the help you need to end your  pain.
The good news is… we can help!

If you have shoulder pain that persists for more than a few days, or is severe and accompanied by other symptoms, call us! As early as your first visit, we will try to identify the cause of your pain and develop a customized treatment program to relieve shoulder pain and restore your health.

Treatment of shoulder pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the cause of your symptoms be identified. At the AIMS Clinic, our Team of Experts will discuss your symptoms and previous injuries, family health history and your lifestyle, including recreational and work related physical activities. Our Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Teams may perform a manual exam, palpate the spine and conduct specialized testing to analyze posture, range-of-motion, muscle strength and nerve function. Other diagnostic tests may include laboratory blood studies to determine if there is an underlying disorder, x-rays, CAT scan, MRI, electromyography and nerve conduction studies.

At the AIMS Clinic, our Pain Management Doctor (Physiatrist) treats a wide range of problems that affect the musculoskeletal system (the muscles and the bones) - including shoulder pain. A Physiatrist or Pain Management Doctor, has completed four years of medical school, one year of internship and three years of residency. Physiatrists specialize in restoring optimal function to people with injuries to the muscles, bones, tissues and nervous system. This may include neck and back pain, shoulder and arm pain, hip and leg pain, numbness and tingling, arthritis, tendonitis, sciatica, stroke, peripheral neuropathy and ligament tears. He may recommend Physical Therapy, Chiropractic and/or Acupuncture, as part of a customized treatment program, once the cause is determined.

It is important to understand that shoulder pain symptoms can signify different things! For instance, the same symptom could indicate an inflammatory concern, nerve entrapment issue, disc or muscular problem - that is why finding the exact cause is so vital!  Choices have to be made, decisions regarding surgery, medication and alternative therapy must be considered.

With a high success rate, our team of experts and compassionate staff have designed a proven program to successfully treat patients with shoulder pain and spine related conditions. Our procedures are directly responsible for saving hundreds of patients from unnecessary surgery. Key to our success is finding the cause!

“I came in with severe pain in my left shoulder, tingling and numbness in my left arm and severe pain in my rotator cuff. A treatment program of Physical Therapy and Chiropractic was created for me. I can happily say, one month later, I am no longer in pain!” - E.V.

After identifying the cause, the proper treatment can be instituted to achieve shoulder pain relief. Treatment may include medication management, as well as injections of ligaments, muscles, bursae, joints and specialized injections such as epidural injections or facet joint block injection. Physical Therapy, Chiropractic or Acupuncture may be an integral part of the shoulder pain treatment program.

Shoulder pain relief is a major reason patients come to treat with our chiropractic physicians. They find that pain is relieved, muscle tightness is reduced and healing begins by manually applying a controlled force to joints that have become restricted by muscle injury, strain, inflammation and/or pain. In addition, spinal decompression - traction that may help relieve shoulder pain, may be considered. Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine - taking pressure off spinal discs (gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine). Additionally, spinal decompression is successful in treating back pain, bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome (worn spinal joints) and radiculopathy (injured or diseased spinal nerve roots). This revolutionary treatment method, which may be covered by health insurance - has resulted in canceling surgeries and allowing people to live life to the fullest. Many patients experience substantial, immediate relief of their symptoms after their first treatment.

At the AIMS Clinic, there are several forms of physical therapy utilized for shoulder pain relief.  For acute pain, the physical therapists may focus on decreasing pain with passive physical therapy (modalities). They are considered passive therapies because they are done to the patient, rather than the patient rehabilitating with exercise. Examples of modalities include: Ice (Makes blood vessels constrict which decreases the blood flow - helping to control inflammation, muscle spasm and pain.), Heat (Makes blood vessels dilate, which increases the blood flow - helping flush away chemicals that cause pain, as well as bringing in healing nutrients and oxygen.), Ultrasound (Uses high-frequency sound waves to reach sore muscles and other tissues that are over two inches below the surface of your skin, which help flush the sore area and bring in a new supply of blood that is rich in nutrients and oxygen.) Electrical Stimulation (Reduces muscle spasms and increases blood flow, which help to oxygenate the muscles.), Soft Tissue Massage (Reduces pain and spasms, helping muscles relax by bringing in a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood and flushing the area of chemical irritants that come from inflammation.), Joint Mobilization (Changing pressure and movements to the joints to help lubricate joint surfaces to ease stiffness and reduce pain.) and Traction (Stretches tight muscles and opens up joint spaces helping sore joints and muscles).

In addition to passive therapies, active physical therapy (exercise) is also necessary to rehabilitate the spine. Generally, a patient’s exercise program will encompass a combination of stretching exercises, strengthening exercises and low impact aerobics. Strength and flexibility must be built up gradually - on a gradient level. Doing too much too soon often causes muscle strain. Our physical therapists use functional training to help patients with daily activities. This will include a healthy posture program to keep the spine in safe alignment, reducing strain on the joints and soft tissues around the spine.

Other shoulder pain relief recommendations include staying hydrated. Drink plenty of water to help flush away acidic waste products from the muscles. High levels of acidic waste products in the muscles can cause muscle irritation and pain. Poor dietary choices can lead to chronic inflammation - increasing pain sensitivity. Daily supplementation of Vitamin D can help alleviate a deficiency and pain, according to recent studies.

Many shoulder pain patients treated at the AIMS Clinic have previously treated with various doctors, specialists and therapists, tried bed rest, a multitude of strong drugs and over-the-counter medication and sadly, many have had failed surgery. They come to us because they're still in pain… and they’ve heard about the success of our program offered here in East Brunswick, NJ.

"I’m so thankful to Dr. Schwartz.  He diagnosed and treated my shoulder and arm pain, in a way that was encouraging, collaborative and successful. He is a terrific healthcare “coach”, a wonderful communicator – I’m grateful for his professional expertise and empathy."  K.R.

If this describes you, a family member or friend, we're here to tell you that you can get better. Our Team of Board Certified Medical Doctors, Pain Management Specialist, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors and Acupuncturist utilize specific diagnostic tests and evaluations, so that we can effectively provide the best care in New Jersey to all of our patients. The AIMS Healthcare Team meets on a weekly basis to discuss all treating patients - to minimize pain and maximize results. It is our Team Approach, which is key to our success. After a few short weeks, you can begin to get on with the rest of your life, as you rid yourself of shoulder pain.

To read more about shoulder pain, click here.

Call New Jersey’s own Alternative Integrated Medical Services today at 732-254-5553 and receive a FREE Initial Consultation. Our goal is to provide the most advanced and compassionate pain relief. Our Team of Experts and friendly staff at your local East Brunswick, NJ AIMS Clinic, will help you reduce or eliminate pain and improve function. As our patient, we will teach you how to regain your health with our revolutionary new treatment program.

“I suffered with constant right shoulder pain. My team of doctors - Pain Management Specialist, Physical Therapist and Chiropractor - have been great. I can now say I am… PAIN-FREE! I am so impressed with the care I received at the AIMS Clinic - I didn’t know I could feel this good!” - N.Z.