Shoulder Pain Centennial, CO
- Rotator Cuff & Joint Care
- SoftWave-First Approach
- No Drugs or Surgery
A shoulder rarely hurts all the time, but it can hurt at the most inconvenient moment when you need it the most. You might want to throw a ball or reach for a mug on top of a cabinet. Then suddenly, you notice a stinging pain that makes you cry out. It can also be a dull ache you can ignore most of the time. However, one’s range of motion can decrease significantly if shoulder pain is left alone.
Fortunately, this is one of the conditions that Dr. Tony Nicholas treats at Axis Health and Wellness in Centennial. He uses a SoftWave machine that sends sound signals to increase blood flow to the shoulder area to encourage the body to heal it naturally. If you’ve already taken ibuprofen or tried a cortisone shot that didn’t work, then Dr. Tony’s approach can be the difference that you’re looking for.
How Shoulder Pain Usually Shows Up
Some patients describe the feeling of a dull ache in the joint when they’re using their shoulders. However, they may also experience a stabbing pain that’s triggered by specific movements. The shoulder doesn’t hurt when one just sits still, but most of the time, the patient has already lost some range of motion, whether they noticed this or not.
Shoulder joints are also making things more complicated because it has four rotator cuff muscles. It supports several other muscles by working together to control various movements of the body. When one muscle is damaged, it can affect the entire pattern, and it makes the whole arm feel unstable.
Why This Clinic Uses SoftWave?
Chiropractors often address pain in shoulder joints, and Dr. Tony also does this. He invested in SoftWave therapy, , which is an acoustic device that restarts healing in arthritic shoulders because he believes that this is going to make a difference. This therapy can also help with tendinopathy to alleviate the pain of people experiencing it.
A session in SoftWave therapy lasts around ten minutes, and the entire process is non-invasive. There are also minimal to no side effects aside from some swelling, but the risk is small. However, SoftWave is not used near pacemakers, so consult a doctor beforehand.
“Knee and shoulder pain specifically. It was just a much better way to treat those conditions than just traditional chiropractic.”
Dr. Tony Nicholas, D.C., on why he brought SoftWave into the practiceWhen Shoulder Pain Is Really Neck Pain
The nerves running into the arms also run in the neck. Any pinched nerve along the way, especially in the cervical spine, can cause spasms in the upper trapezius. Then, it can send pain down the arm, and many people think that their shoulders are injured because of the pain that they’re feeling. If the hands go numb, then the main issue can point to the neck, and not the shoulder.
What people need is a comprehensive exam in Dr. Tony’s clinic that will tell them the entire picture of what they’re experiencing. Treating a shoulder for six weeks while the real problem is actually the neck will not help.
How a Shoulder Gets Evaluated in Centennial?
Dr. Tony will ask the patient about his medical history, and he will take X-rays of the neck and shoulders to see if there are issues. After a fall, a hard collision, or a yank that left the arm useless, a torn rotator cuff gets ruled out first because chiropractic and SoftWave cannot fix a full tear, and he will inform the patient about this.
What are the Treatments Available for his Clinic?
- SoftWave therapy is the leading tool that can address arthritis and any issues with the tendons, while the sessions can last ten minutes.
- Chiropractic adjustments are ideal when the nerves in the neck are the ones causing the pain.
- Dry needling for cervical and upper trapezius muscle spasms.
- Red light therapy as a quick add-on over inflamed tissue, under a minute per area.
Before any treatment starts, Dr. Tony will first establish the pain level of the patient. His rule in his clinic is to do no harm.
How Many Visits Does a Painful Shoulder Take?
Fresh injuries are re-examined each week after each visit. One’s age is taken into consideration, and how the shoulder responds to treatment will decide what the next step will be. If there are no improvements around the 8 to 12 visit mark, Dr. Tony will refer the patient to a specialist instead of booking another session. No one gets sold a 60-visit package in his clinic, and he aims to make everything more affordable.
Get Medical Care First If
- The pain comes from a fall, and the doctor suspects that the damaged area is deeper.
- You cannot raise the arm at all, which needs a full rotator cuff tear ruled out.
- The shoulder looks deformed, which can mean a fracture or dislocation.
If your situation is none of these and you’re still feeling the ache with a lesser range of motion, then you’re a good candidate to be treated in Dr. Tony’s clinic.
How Much Does It Cost?
The first SoftWave session typically costs around $49, and the first chiropractic visit is $29. Finding out the cause of the pain in your shoulder is less than what a co-pay would cost. The clinic accepts all insurance except Medicaid. Many people can also pay using Cherry, CareCredit, FSA, HSA, cash, and credit cards, along with payment plans including no interest options.
Shoulder Pain FAQs
Why does my shoulder only hurt during certain movements?
Pain can flare up when the damaged muscle needs to work. This is why one’s shoulders can feel fine when they’re in a restful state but can suddenly hurt at a certain point when one reaches for something and uses them. The movements can cause pain, but the symptoms can give the doctors useful clues on what’s going on during exams.
Can you help a rotator cuff problem without surgery?
Yes, in many cases. Rotator cuff damage that does not involve a complete tear is something that SoftWave can help with. A complete tear caused by an injury needs to be ruled out first with proper imaging, because conservative treatment cannot repair a fully torn tendon.
What does a SoftWave session on a shoulder feel like?
This can feel like getting an ultrasound where a gel is applied to the shoulder. The stylus delivers the acoustic waves to the targeted tissues to increase their blood flow. It supports the body’s natural repair process, especially in cases where healing has stalled.
I just had a cortisone shot. Can I still start SoftWave?
Not on that area right away. The specialist will advise that the patient should wait for at least three weeks after a cortisone injection before treating the affected area with SoftWave. The patient can still come in for an exam for proper diagnosis.
How many treatments will my shoulder need?
A chronic or arthritic shoulder usually needs six to ten SoftWave treatments, and the progress is tracked each week. It will require fewer sessions afterwards if there are improvements.
Do I need a referral or an MRI before coming in?
There’s no need to obtain a referral because many shoulder aches don’t require an MRI. If the exam finds a tear, the doctor will let you know and redirect you to the appropriate specialist for the next step. It’s important to bring imaging results that you have and information about the injury to get the proper treatments.
Care That Starts With Listening
Your first visit is a chance to ask questions and get clear answers. Dr. Tony Nicholas will evaluate your symptoms and help you understand your treatment options. Book your appointment at Axis Health and Wellness.