Do you feel shoulder pain every time you lift your arm, or have you had to endure the pain until it became part of your life? You are not the only one. Chronic shoulder pain is a problem many people face, and importantly, it is not something you have to live with for ever.

Today we will introduce you to the case of a patient who succeeded in treating shoulder pain, and whose impression of it was passed on to everyone in the family.

Why is shoulder pain a serious matter?

Let us first understand why chronic shoulder pain is not merely a small matter to endure from one day to the next.

The habits that hurt the shoulder

Repeated use is the main cause many people overlook. Whether lifting the arm at work, using a mouse, or even holding a phone in the same position for long periods, the muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint have to work too hard, producing inflammation and cumulative damage.

Incorrect posture is another large problem. Many people lean forward while working, raise the shoulder when using a computer, or let the shoulder roll forward. These postures distort the structure of the shoulder joint, so that some muscles have to work too hard while others are used too little.

The hidden risk

What many people do not know is that leaving shoulder pain untreated for a long time may lead to more serious problems, such as:

  • Frozen shoulder, which leaves you unable to lift the arm
  • A torn tendon, from the hard work of a weakened muscle
  • Degeneration of the shoulder joint, from abnormal use over a long period
  • Numbness in the forearm, from a compressed nerve

A true story: from shoulder pain to a new life

A true story from an office worker with chronic right shoulder pain. The pain did not arise suddenly, but grew steadily more severe.

From something small to a large problem

At first she thought it was only ordinary aching from work. She tried massage, hot packs, and painkillers, but it did not improve — it grew steadily worse.

The pain began to disturb daily life. She could not raise her arm to take something from a shelf, dressing was difficult, she could not lie on the painful shoulder, and worst of all she had to stop the exercise she used to do regularly.

A precise diagnosis

When she came to PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic, a rehabilitation medicine physician assessed her in detail, not looking at the pain alone but at the true cause.

The examination found chronic right shoulder pain arising from inflammation of the tendons and muscles around the shoulder joint, with several tender points in the muscle, and very tight fascia in the shoulder and upper back.

The treatment that changed a life

The doctor decided to use the neurofascial release technique, an injection separating the fascial layer from the nerve, which is highly effective in treating chronic pain.

What is neurofascial release?

Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps muscle, tendon, and nerve throughout the body. When the fascia is tight or inflamed, it compresses the nerve and limits the movement of the muscle, producing pain and restricted movement.

Neurofascial release is a technique in which a fine needle injects a specific solution (usually normal saline, or a solution containing a local anaesthetic) into the tightened fascial layer, in order to:

  1. Release the fascia that has stuck together, separating it from the muscle and the nerve
  2. Reduce compression of the nerve, so that signalling returns to normal
  3. Increase blood flow to the problem area
  4. Stimulate tissue repair naturally in the body

The treatment process

The doctor uses diagnostic ultrasound, high-frequency sound waves, to see the structure of fascia, muscle, and nerve in real time, so that the injection can be given precisely and safely.

During the treatment you feel a light pressure and may feel slight pain as the needle goes in, but the sensation is not severe and passes quickly.

The result in practice

What happened after the treatment surprised this office worker greatly. The pain disappeared immediately after the procedure. The feeling was not merely less pain, but regaining freedom of movement: she could raise the arm fully, lie on her side without pain, and importantly go back to living fully as before.

The turning point: trust

The impression from the result of the treatment did not end there. She saw that PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic has specialist physicians and technology that can treat problems which look complex, effectively.

Thinking of the members of her family struggling with various health problems, she decided to bring the whole family for care.

The family who were cared for

Her father: a torn cruciate ligament

Her father had knee pain for a long time. Examination found an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, arising from an injury that had not received appropriate treatment, which left the knee unstable, walking uncertain, and chronic pain.

The doctor designed a treatment plan that combined:

After treatment, her father could walk more steadily, with a lower risk of falling, and returned to the activities he enjoys.

Her mother: unsteady walking

Her mother had a problem of unsteady walking, arising from several causes together: weak leg muscles, a balance problem, and an imbalance in the shape of the foot.

The doctor used a whole-person approach:

  • Assessment of gait and foot shape to find the true cause
  • Customized Insole, an insole made for the individual, to rebalance walking
  • A muscle-strengthening programme and balance training

The result was that her mother walked far more steadily, with confidence in her movement and a significantly lower risk of falling.

Her younger brother: back pain that did not resolve after surgery

Her younger brother had chronic back pain that did not resolve even after disc surgery, a problem often found in "failed back surgery syndrome."

The doctor found that although the disc had been corrected, the muscles around the spine still had problems, with many tender points and tight fascia.

The treatment combined:

  • Dry Needling to release tender points in the muscle
  • Neurofascial release to release the tightened fascia
  • High Power Laser Therapy to reduce inflammation and speed recovery
  • PMS to build the strength of the back muscles

After treatment, the back pain decreased greatly, and he could return to work and to normal life.

Why did the whole family succeed?

Treatment by specialist physicians

Every step is carried out by a specialist physician in rehabilitation medicine, an expert in the musculoskeletal system directly, together with the work of a multidisciplinary team.

The physician can:

  • Diagnose the true cause of the symptoms, not merely treat them as they appear
  • Adjust the treatment plan flexibly as appropriate for each person
  • Prescribe medication alongside the treatment when necessary
  • Give continuing care and follow the long-term result

Modern technology

PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic uses technology that is accepted and supported by research, not merely ordinary equipment. Every instrument has been selected by specialists who use it in practice, to be sure that it is "the best of technology for the result of treatment."

Whole-person care

The physician does not look at one symptom alone but assesses the patient's overall condition. Sometimes pain at one point may arise from a problem at another that seems unrelated.

For example, back pain may arise from a problem in the shape of the foot, or shoulder pain may come from an incorrect sitting posture. Seeing this whole picture makes the treatment targeted and lasting.

You too can recover from pain

If you or someone in your family is facing these problems:

  • Chronic pain of more than 3 months that does not resolve
  • Treated in several places without improvement
  • Operated on but still in pain
  • Symptoms affecting quality of life, so that you cannot do the activities you enjoy
  • Wanting to avoid surgery or to reduce the use of painkillers

This is your opportunity to receive care from specialists with the most modern technology.

PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic

Management of pain and musculoskeletal disorders, by specialist physicians

Location:
999 Room BF-11, Floor L, Gaysorn Village
Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
(near BTS Chit Lom)
Free valet parking

Opening hours:

  • Monday-Friday: 16:30-20:00
  • Saturday-Sunday: 10:00-20:00

PYONG Rehabilitation Penthouse Clinic

Care for older adults and neurological rehabilitation, by a team of specialist doctors and allied health professionals

Location:
127 Room K, Floor 11, Gaysorn Tower
Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

Opening hours:

  • Monday-Friday: 10:00-20:00
  • Saturday-Sunday: 10:00-20:00