Shoulder Pain Treatment in Greenville, SC
Shoulder pain treatment in Greenville, SC. Dr. Hendry treats rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, bursitis, and chronic shoulder pain. Call (864) 365-6156.
What Is Shoulder Pain?
Shoulder pain affects one in four adults and can severely limit the ability to work, exercise, and perform daily tasks. The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which makes it inherently vulnerable to injury. Common causes include rotator cuff tears and tendinitis, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), bursitis, and biceps tendon problems. Each requires a distinct treatment approach, making accurate diagnosis essential.
Common Symptoms
Root Causes: A Functional Medicine Perspective
Rotator cuff injuries result from both acute trauma (a fall or lifting injury) and chronic overuse (repetitive overhead activities). Frozen shoulder is associated with diabetes, thyroid disease, and prolonged immobility — reflecting systemic factors that impair tissue healing and promote fibrotic changes in the joint capsule.
Systemic inflammation delays tendon healing and weakens collagen — the structural protein tendons are made of. Vitamin C, collagen precursors, and omega-3 fatty acids are all critical for tendon health, and deficiencies in these nutrients are common. Hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause significantly increase the risk of frozen shoulder. Dr. Hendry considers all of these factors when evaluating shoulder pain patients.
How We Treat Shoulder Pain at IHP
Acupuncture at local shoulder points combined with distal points on the opposite side and the lower extremity consistently outperforms conventional treatment for shoulder pain in randomized trials. Electroacupuncture is particularly effective for rotator cuff tendinopathy, stimulating collagen synthesis and reducing chronic tendon inflammation.
For frozen shoulder, acupuncture — especially using the Eight Extra Meridian protocols — can dramatically speed recovery. The natural course of untreated frozen shoulder is 18–24 months; patients treated with acupuncture often regain full mobility in 3–6 months. Trigger point dry needling into the infraspinatus, supraspinatus, subscapularis, and pectoralis minor addresses the myofascial restrictions that limit shoulder mobility and perpetuate pain.
Dr. Hendry's Approach
Dr. Hendry evaluates the cervical spine and thoracic spine alongside the shoulder, recognizing that limited thoracic mobility and cervical nerve compression often contribute to shoulder pain. He uses a combination of local and distal needling strategies, adapting his protocol based on the specific structure involved and the patient's response to initial treatment.