Shoulder pain is a condition that can seriously affect our daily comfort. It may cause discomfort during daily activities and even disturb sleep at night. Some people feel pain while moving their arms, while others complain about being unable to lie on their shoulders at night. There are also patients who experience pain while cooking or eating, and even those who have such limited arm movement that they are unable to brush their hair.
MRI scans of patients presenting with shoulder pain often reveal tendonitis in the muscles. In such cases, medical or surgical treatments are typically administered. However, the root cause of the pain may actually be damage to the connective tissues that support the shoulder. Since these structures are not visible on MRI, they can be overlooked. As a result, treating only the tendonitis may not lead to the desired outcome. In some instances, steroid injections may even cause additional tissue damage. Following surgical interventions, limited shoulder mobility or even the development of frozen shoulder can occur.
Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by a significant reduction in shoulder mobility. It can have many causes, including previous trauma or injury, surgeries, or after COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that severely limits daily activities.
Shoulder Pain Treatment
Accurate diagnosis and treatment of shoulder pain begin with identifying the source of the pain. To improve joint mobility, hyaluronic acid injections can be administered. Prolotherapy injections help repair damaged connective tissues, while fat-derived injections from abdominal fat are used to treat tendons and muscle tissue. Prolozone injections may be applied to reduce inflammation and edema. In cases with limited movement, such as frozen shoulder, exercise and physical therapy enhance treatment effectiveness and accelerate recovery.
Prolotherapy is a treatment method aimed at promoting the healing of damaged tissues in the body. This therapy particularly strengthens the ligaments and muscles around the shoulder area and helps reduce pain. Prolotherapy involves injecting solutions directly into the damaged tissues, which stimulates the body’s natural healing process.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is an effective method that accelerates the healing of damaged tissues in the shoulder. This treatment, especially used for muscle and tendon tears, promotes cell regeneration and tissue repair.
Prolozone
Prolozone is a treatment method that combines prolotherapy and ozone therapy. Ozone gas enhances cellular oxygenation, accelerating the healing process and reducing pain. This therapy is particularly effective in treating chronic shoulder pain.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid injections are used to improve joint mobility and alleviate pain. These injections increase the viscosity of the joint fluid, allowing for smoother and more comfortable joint movement.
Neuroprolotherapy
Neuroprolotherapy is a treatment method that promotes the regeneration of nerves through injections administered to nerve endings. Nerves play a significant role in shoulder pain, and this therapy helps accelerate nerve healing, thereby reducing pain.
Advantages of Treatment Methods Used for Shoulder Pain
Rapid Return to Social Life: After treatment, patients can quickly return to their daily lives.
Pain Reduction: A noticeable reduction in pain complaints is observed in a short time.
Exercise and Heat Therapy: Treatment outcomes are more effective when accompanied by exercise and heat therapy.
Natural Healing: Prolotherapy and other natural treatment methods support the body’s inherent healing processes and promote the self-repair of damaged tissues.
Which Types of Shoulder Pain Can It Be Applied To?
Non-specific Shoulder Pain: General shoulder pain without a specific identifiable cause.
Muscle Tendinitis in the Shoulder: Inflammation occurring in the muscles.
Tears in the Shoulder Muscles: Muscle tears and the pain caused by these tears.
Shoulder Dislocation: The condition in which the shoulder joint becomes dislocated from its normal position.
Frozen Shoulder: Cases where shoulder movements are severely restricted.
Exercise and Physical Therapy in Shoulder Pain
Exercise and physical therapy play a crucial role in the treatment of shoulder pain. To improve joint mobility and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder, regular exercise is essential. Physical therapy programs recommended by specialists are effective in relieving pain and reducing mobility limitations.
Shoulder pain is a common issue that negatively impacts quality of life. With proper diagnosis and treatment, shoulder pain can be alleviated and the healing process accelerated. Treatment methods such as prolotherapy, stem cell therapy, prolozone, and hyaluronic acid injections offer effective solutions depending on the underlying cause of the pain. In addition, regular exercise and physical therapy are key in both the prevention and treatment of shoulder pain. It is important for individuals experiencing shoulder pain to consult a medical specialist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
