How is shoulder pain treated?

The best things to do for shoulder pain are treating with anti-inflammatories and stretching, modifying activities and resting when necessary.

There are various treatment options for shoulder pain:

• Non-operative therapies. Physical therapy, modified activity and anti-inflammatory medication may effectively manage shoulder problems, reducing or eliminating pain and increasing range of motion in a stiff or frozen shoulder.
• Injections. Anti-inflammatories, such as cortisone, can help ease rotator cuff and arthritis problems.
• Surgery. When non-surgical treatments fail, or if the injury is severe, more aggressive approaches may be required. Virtually all shoulder surgery (except for arthritis) is performed using minimally invasive outpatient arthroscopic techniques, which cause less pain and have quicker recoveries.

The most common way to treat shoulder pain is to give it some rest; but if pain or bursitis persists, you may need physical therapy or medications. Watch pain management expert Devi Nampiaparampil, MD, discuss treatment options for shoulder pain.