You Need To Consider Doing This If Your Shoulder Pain Is Not Improving With Massage
Shoulder pain is one of the most common issues people experience, affecting everything from basic daily tasks to physical activities. Whether it’s caused by an injury, poor posture, overuse, or a degenerative condition, shoulder pain can make it difficult to lift objects, reach for things, or even get comfortable during sleep.
The emotional toll of shoulder pain can be just as impactful as the physical discomfort. The inability to move freely can leave you feeling restricted, frustrated, and stressed. If massage therapy hasn’t provided you with lasting relief, it might be time to explore other solutions that address the root cause of your shoulder pain and provide long-term results.
Massage: A Common Approach to Treating Shoulder Pain
Massage therapy is widely used to treat shoulder pain because it helps to relax tight muscles, improve circulation, and reduce stress. Techniques such as kneading, rolling, and pressing can help alleviate muscle tension, relieve stiffness, and provide comfort to the affected area. For many people, massage offers temporary relief from the discomfort of shoulder pain, especially if it’s related to muscle tightness or overuse.
However, massage can be repetitive and time-consuming. Many individuals find that they need frequent sessions to maintain relief, and the cost of multiple treatments can add up over time. While massage can provide short-term comfort, it may not address the underlying cause of your shoulder pain, meaning you could find yourself needing continual treatments rather than achieving lasting relief.
Why Getting a Clear Diagnosis Is Crucial
Shoulder pain can stem from various underlying causes. Here are five common conditions that may contribute to shoulder pain:
- Rotator Cuff Injuries – Damage to the tendons in the rotator cuff can cause pain, weakness, and limited range of motion.
- Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) – A condition that causes stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint, restricting movement.
- Shoulder Impingement – When the tendons of the rotator cuff are pinched between the bones of the shoulder, it can cause pain and inflammation.
- Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the shoulder joint, can cause swelling and pain.
- Arthritis – Degeneration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement.
In addition to these common causes, there are two less common but potentially serious conditions that can lead to shoulder pain:
- Fractures – A broken bone in the shoulder can cause severe pain and limit movement.
- Infections or Tumors – Rare infections or tumors in the shoulder can cause significant pain, requiring immediate medical attention.
The Need for Imaging to Get a Precise Diagnosis
It’s important to recognize that shoulder pain cannot always be fully diagnosed through symptoms or a physical examination alone. Imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds are necessary to get a clearer understanding of the shoulder joint, including the bones, cartilage, muscles, and tendons. These diagnostic tools help healthcare providers identify the root cause of the pain and determine the most effective treatment approach.
The Pain Relief Clinic: Your Partner in Finding a Clear Diagnosis
At The Pain Relief Clinic, we understand how shoulder pain can limit your ability to enjoy daily activities and live pain-free. With over a decade of experience, we specialize in providing comprehensive diagnostic services to identify the root cause of your pain. If you’ve been struggling with shoulder pain and haven’t found lasting relief, we can arrange for affordable scans, typically within one working day. Medisave can often be used to help cover the cost of these scans, making them more accessible to you.
We also assist with insurance claims, including accident insurance, travel insurance, and company insurance, ensuring you can access the care you need without the added financial burden.
Once we have a clear diagnosis, we can provide targeted treatments, solutions, and non-invasive technology to help alleviate your shoulder pain and restore your mobility.
Ready to take control of your shoulder pain? Send us a message today to arrange an appointment and begin your journey toward lasting relief from shoulder pain.
What To Expect When I Visit The Pain Relief Clinic
A typical visit will involve our doctor first understanding your medical history, concerns and previous experience with other pain treatments.
For patients who have consulted many people but have yet to receive a clear diagnosis, selecting an affordable imaging scan might be recommended to confirm the cause of your pain..
Some patients have already done scans with other doctors for their pain condition but are still not clearly told what they suffer from.
Dr Terence Tan is happy to offer you a second opinion and recommend how best to manage your condition.
We also see patients who already have a confirmed diagnosis from specialist pain doctors, but are "stuck” because treatment options offered are not practical or acceptable.
We can help by discussing options that you might have potentially never been told of.
A common experience is when a patient has already consulted a specialist doctor for pain management and is told to consider orthopaedic surgery which they find too aggressive.
Or they may have seen doctors for their pain and were prescribed painkillers with potential side effects which made them feel uncomfortable.
Many of our patients have also first tried complementary treatments or acupuncture with traditional Chinese pain doctors.
They look for a second opinion after finding any relief experienced from other treatments to be temporary or requiring repetitive treatments, which add up to time and cost.
Especially in such situations, we emphasize using non-invasive medical technology you likely have not been told about .
This can make a big difference to your results.