shoulder pain Naperville, IL

Living with shoulder pain is a burden no one should bear. When a shoulder injury strikes, the agony can be so debilitating that it hinders even the simplest daily tasks like donning a shirt, taking out the trash, or washing your hair.

Even when the pain is less severe, it still takes a significant toll on your life, happiness, and livelihood. Shoulder pain frequently forces people to abandon their favorite activities, be it tennis, swimming, cooking, or merely playing catch with their children. Moreover, it’s well-documented that untreated shoulder pain can drastically affect work performance and, in many cases, lead to early retirement.

At DuPage Integrative Medicine, we’re determined to spare you from suffering due to debilitating or even mildly annoying shoulder pain. Your body’s optimal functioning is essential, and our physical medicine clinic in Naperville, IL is here to provide you with enduring relief from shoulder pain without resorting to harmful medications or surgery.

request an appointment

The Root Causes of Shoulder Pain

The shoulder, an intricate joint, ranks as the most frequently dislocated or injured joint in the body. Comprising the scapula, clavicle, and humerus arm bone, this joint relies on the stability provided by a group of four muscles and tendons collectively known as the rotator cuff. Although this ball-and-socket joint offers an impressive range of motion, it comes at the cost of reduced stability and heightened vulnerability to injuries.

While various activities can lead to shoulder pain, some of the most prevalent causes encompass:

  • Overhead work
  • Heavy lifting
  • Awkward arm positions
  • Repetitive motions (e.g., swinging a golf club or operating a cash register)

Shoulder pain may indicate deeper underlying injuries, and when left untreated, it can intensify, resulting in referred pain or muscle weakness in the hands or arms. It can also lead to severe disability.

Our doctors at DuPage Integrative Medicine are equipped to address numerous causes of shoulder pain, including:

Impingement: Occurs when lifting your arm away from the body, causing the shoulder blade to exert pressure on the rotator cuff tendons. This can limit your range of motion and cause pain, potentially leading to tendinitis or bursitis if not treated.

Tendon Tears: Can result from tissue degeneration, prolonged overuse, or sudden injury, causing the tendon to split or tear away from the bone to which it’s attached.

Instability: May develop from a sudden injury or prolonged overuse with repetitive movements, leading to the loosening or tearing of ligaments, tendons, or muscles around the shoulder. This condition leaves the upper arm bone less secure in the shoulder socket, increasing the risk of partial or complete dislocation, which can be intensely painful and elevate the risk of arthritis.

Frozen Shoulder: Also known as adhesive capsulitis, this condition leads to stiffness and pain in the shoulder. It often results from prolonged shoulder immobility, such as after surgery.

Radiculopathy: Occurs when pain radiates to the hand, arm, or neck, resulting in shooting or sharp pain, tingling or burning sensations, or muscle weakness.

Tendonitis: Involves inflammation in the tendon, typically affecting the rotator cuff or bicep.

Our providers are also well-equipped to address other sources of shoulder pain, including:

  • AC joint sprains
  • Overuse injuries
  • Shoulder bursitis
  • Arthritis

Effective Treatments for Shoulder Pain

At DuPage Integrative Medicine, we’re committed to helping you conquer your shoulder pain permanently. Our cutting-edge techniques empower patients to overcome shoulder pain and injuries without resorting to harmful medications or surgery.

Our objective is to help you regain your life without undergoing costly surgeries, such as arthroscopy, shoulder replacement, or rotator cuff surgery, which can be accompanied by extended recovery periods, costly post-surgical care, and potential complications.

According to the National Library of Medicine, the patient cost for rotator cuff surgery ranges from $25,000 to $50,000, with a recovery time of 7 to 11 months to achieve full function.

Our mission at DuPage Integrative Medicine is to help you steer clear of such expensive surgeries and their potential pitfalls.

Our medical team conducts a thorough examination and diagnosis to create a tailored treatment plan addressing the root cause of your shoulder pain. Our care protocols are customized based on the underlying cause of your pain, with the goal of restoring proper shoulder function and range of motion while reducing discomfort.

Treatment modalities may encompass:

  • Cervical traction
  • Trigger point injections
  • Targeted strengthening and stretching exercises
  • Postural alignment using Chiropractic BioPhysics
  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments
  • Regenerative therapies