Shoulder Pain

Physical Therapy & Pain Management located in Hyde Park, MA


It only takes a mild shoulder injury to cause intense pain and limit your arm movement. When you need help to relieve the pain, improve mobility, or recuperate from an injury or surgery, call the experienced team at Boston Pain Clinic in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. They provide personalized treatment and solutions that support all aspects of your shoulder rehabilitation with the goal of regaining optimal function. Don’t ignore shoulder pain; call Boston Pain Clinic or request an appointment online today.

Shoulder Pain Q & A

What causes shoulder pain?

The shoulder is the most movable joint in your body, so when an injury or illness causes pain, it can disrupt everyday life.

A ball-and-socket joint, the shoulder includes three main bones that are cushioned by cartilage and fluid-filled sacs called bursae. A group of tendons form the rotator cuff, which holds your upper arm bone in the shoulder socket and allows you to lift and rotate your arms. Shoulder pain can result from damage to any of these structures.

The team at Boston Pain Clinic treats many causes of shoulder pain, including:

  • Arthritis
  • Rotator cuff tears or tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Shoulder dislocation and instability
  • Fractures of the upper arm or collarbone
  • Cartilage tears
  • Pinched nerves in the neck or shoulder (radiculopathy)

Shoulder pain may occur suddenly, like after an auto accident or falling on an outstretched arm, or it may develop slowly and worsen over time.

When should I see a doctor for shoulder pain?

Seek medical care right away if your shoulder pain follows an accident or appears suddenly without an injury. Sudden shoulder pain that’s not related to an injury may be a sign of a heart attack.

Otherwise, call Boston Pain Clinic any time you have shoulder pain that persists longer than a few weeks and doesn’t resolve with home treatment.

How is shoulder pain diagnosed and treated?

First, your Boston Pain Clinic provider asks about how your shoulder pain occurred and whether you’re experiencing other symptoms, like stiffness or clicking sounds.

They carefully examine your shoulder and check for abnormalities, like swelling or restricted range of motion. They may also take tests, like X-rays, ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These tests help your provider identify the specific cause of your shoulder pain.

Then, they create an individualized treatment plan. The team at Boston Pain Clinic offers many conservative treatments for shoulder pain, including:

  • Physical therapy
  • Medications to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Trigger point injections
  • Massage therapy

They may also recommend therapies like dry needling to help alleviate your shoulder pain. Some cases of shoulder pain may require surgery. 

If shoulder pain interferes with your quality of life, call Boston Pain Clinic or request an appointment online today.