Shoulder pain is a common problem that can be caused by a number of different factors, such as an acute injury, overuse, or from degenerative conditions such as arthritis. The good news is, there is a range of conservative treatments that can help alleviate shoulder pain without the need for invasive shoulder surgeries. Pain relief injections can be an effective way to reduce pain and promote healing.
What Types of Injections Can Alleviate Shoulder Pain?
There are several types of pain relief injections that can be used to treat shoulder pain. The underlying cause of your pain will determine the best course of treatment. The most popular treatments are:
- Stem Cell Regenerative Therapy–Highly effective at relieving pain, restoring injured tissues, and speeding up the healing process, stem cell therapy involves injecting stem cells directly into a damaged area of tissue. It can provide long-lasting pain relief from both acute and chronic conditions. Stem cells are very important in the process of cell renewal and healing. They are unique from other types of cells because they have the ability to develop into a variety of different cell types. When stem cells are injected into injured tissue, the cells reproduce and help to repair and replace the damaged cells.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy–An effective treatment for soft tissue injuries and persistent pain conditions, PRP therapy utilizes platelets in the blood to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Platelets contain growth factors and proteins, which help trigger cell production, regenerate new tissue, and promote healing in the treated area. The treatment involves drawing a sample of a patient’s blood, isolating the platelet-rich components from the blood in a centrifuge, and then injecting it into the affected area to encourage new tissue formation and healing.
- ProlozoneTherapy–This is a homeopathic/oxygen injection technique that works to repair and regenerate damaged soft tissues. It is an effective healing treatment that can promote the repair of damaged tissue and significantly reduce pain and improve mobility and function. Prolozonetherapy works by first injecting homeopathic anti-inflammatory medications, vitamins, and nutrients into the injured area. These substances can help reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and stimulate important growth factors critical for healing and repair. The area is then saturated with oxygen (in the form of ozone), which triggers and speeds up the regeneration of damaged tissues.
How Many Injections Will You Need?
The number of treatments necessary can vary between individuals, but on average, you can expect the following:
- Stem Cell Regenerative Therapy–Most patients receive a series of three stem cell injections spread out over several weeks.
- PRP Therapy–In most cases, 3 injections are required at 4–6 week intervals.
- ProlozoneTherapy–Typically requires 3-5 injections at 1-2 week intervals to achieve the best results.
For all treatments, pain and functional improvements will be assessed every 2-3 weeks after administering the injections to determine further therapy needs.
Are There Any Side Effects?
As with any treatment, there can be side effects for some people. These typically only last 24-72 hours but may last longer for some individuals. Temporary side effects include:
- Pain, soreness, achiness, sensitivity, and a sense of fullness at the injection site
- Minor bleeding or bruising from needle trauma
- Small risk of infection
Are the Injections Safe?
Stem cells are considered safe and are rigorously screened and tested at an FDA-cleared tissue bank. They are frequently obtained from umbilical cord blood stem cells, which are ethically sourced. They come from healthy umbilical cord tissue donated during scheduled cesarean deliveries.
PRP therapy is considered a safe procedure, because it uses the patient’s own blood, thereby minimizing the risk of complications such as infection, rejection, or disease transmission.
Prolozonetherapy has been used safely for decades, and side effects from it are very rare. Although inhalation of ozone gas can be dangerous, it is considered safe when injected into tissue or joints, and precautions are taken to avoid inhalation. The medications used for prolozone therapy are non-toxic and safe.
Shoulder Pain Injections Near Me in Dallas, TX
If you are interested in finding out more about shoulder pain injections and whether they can benefit you, contact the team of specialists at Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine. We provide the most advanced orthopedic treatments and techniques, including stem cell regenerative therapy, PRP therapy, and prolozone therapy, to help provide the lasting relief you need from pain symptoms.
To find out more, call us today at (972) 503-7272 or request an appointment online.