You Need To Consider Doing This If Your Shoulder Pain Is Not Improving With TCM Treatment

 Shoulder pain is a common issue that many people face, whether it’s caused by injury, poor posture, overuse, or even aging. The pain can range from a mild discomfort to sharp, debilitating pain that interferes with simple movements such as reaching, lifting, or carrying. The shoulder is a highly mobile joint, and when pain sets in, it can limit your range of motion and make even the most routine tasks difficult.

Chronic shoulder pain can affect your daily life, from work to exercise, and even social activities. It can be emotionally frustrating and can also lead to secondary issues such as poor sleep, irritability, and stress, further impacting your overall well-being.

TCM: A Popular Approach to Treating Shoulder Pain

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widely used in Singapore for managing conditions like shoulder pain. TCM therapies such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, and tui na massage are often employed to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote circulation to the affected area. Many people turn to TCM to help relieve shoulder pain, hoping to restore balance to their body and improve mobility in the shoulder joint.

While TCM can be effective for many individuals, there are times when it may not provide the lasting relief needed, especially if the root cause of your shoulder pain has not been properly diagnosed. Without identifying the underlying cause, treatments may only address the symptoms, offering temporary relief rather than a long-term solution.

Why Getting a Clear Diagnosis Is Crucial

Shoulder pain can be caused by various factors, and getting to the root of the problem is essential for effective treatment. Here are five common causes of shoulder pain:

  1. Rotator Cuff Injuries – Tears or inflammation in the rotator cuff tendons can lead to pain and difficulty lifting the arm.
  2. Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) – Stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint can limit movement and cause chronic discomfort.
  3. Shoulder Bursitis – Inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac) can lead to pain, particularly when moving the arm.
  4. Osteoarthritis – Degeneration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint can cause pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
  5. Impingement Syndrome – When the tendons in the shoulder rub against the bone, it can cause pain and inflammation.

In addition to these common causes, there are two less common but potentially serious causes of shoulder pain:

  1. Fractures – A broken bone in or around the shoulder joint can result in significant pain and require immediate medical attention.
  2. Infections – Infections in the shoulder joint or surrounding tissues can cause severe pain and swelling and should be treated promptly.

The Need for Imaging to Get a Precise Diagnosis

It’s important to recognize that shoulder pain cannot be accurately diagnosed based on symptoms or physical examination alone. Imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds are essential to get a clear picture of what is happening in the shoulder joint. These imaging tools help healthcare providers identify whether the pain is due to bone issues, tendon injuries, or soft tissue inflammation, and they allow for a more accurate diagnosis.

The Pain Relief Clinic: Your Partner in Finding a Clear Diagnosis

At The Pain Relief Clinic, we have over a decade of experience helping individuals with shoulder pain. We take a non-invasive approach to diagnosing and treating the root cause of your pain. If you’re 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 cover the cost of these scans, making the process more affordable.

We also assist with insurance claims, including accident insurance, travel insurance, and company insurance, ensuring you can access the care you need without additional financial stress.

Once we’ve obtained a clear diagnosis, we can provide targeted treatment solutions that address the root cause of your shoulder pain, helping you restore mobility and enjoy a pain-free life.

Ready to get started? 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.