Shoulder Pain
Orange County, California

Pain Relief, Repair & Prevention

Shoulder Pain: What It Means & How We Help

Why Your Shoulder Matters — and Why It Sometimes Hurts

Your shoulder is one of the most remarkable joints in your body. It’s what allows you to reach, lift, throw, carry — basically, to move freely. But that flexibility comes at a cost. Because it’s so mobile and relies on a complex network of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, it’s also quite vulnerable to injury.

At OC Sports and Wellness, we recognize that shoulder pain isn’t just an inconvenience — it can disrupt your daily life, keep you from work or sport, and make simple tasks suddenly difficult (like lifting a box, reaching for something overhead, or sleeping comfortably). We’re here to help you regain function, mobility, and confidence in your shoulder.

Common Shoulder Problems We See

Shoulder pain can stem from many different conditions. Some of the most frequent issues we treat include:

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis & Rotator Cuff Tear — The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles/tendons that surround the shoulder joint, enabling lifting and rotation. Overuse, repetitive overhead motion, or sudden trauma can inflame these tendons (tendinitis) or even result in partial or complete tears. These conditions often cause pain when lifting or reaching, weakness, or a “catching” sensation.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome — Sometimes the tendons or other soft tissues of the rotator cuff get pinched (or “impinged”) under nearby bones during shoulder motion. This compression leads to inflammation, pain, and difficulty raising or rotating your arm. It’s among the most common causes of shoulder pain.
Bursitis — Bursa are small fluid-filled sacs that help tendons and muscles glide smoothly. When they become inflamed (often due to overuse or impingement), bursitis can cause pain and stiffness, making even simple shoulder movement uncomfortable.
Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) — In this condition, the connective tissues around the shoulder joint gradually tighten and thicken, severely limiting range of motion and causing persistent pain. Over time, common movements like lifting your arm or reaching behind your back may become difficult or impossible.
Glenoid Labrum Tear, Shoulder Dislocation, or Other Cartilage/Joint Injuries — Sometimes the cartilage around the shoulder socket (labrum) can tear — often due to trauma, repetitive overhead activity, or heavy lifting. Dislocations and other joint injuries may also cause pain, instability, and long-term damage if not properly treated.

Because each condition affects different parts of the shoulder’s structure, symptoms can vary: a dull ache, sharp stabbing pain, weakness, swelling, trouble sleeping, or loss of mobility.

How We Diagnose & Treat — Not Just “Take a Pill”

At OC Sports and Wellness, led by Dr. Sam Sunshine, we take a comprehensive, personalized approach — not just treating symptoms, but uncovering and addressing the root cause of your shoulder pain.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

A thorough evaluation: We review your medical history, when and how the pain began, which activities trigger it, and which movements feel worse (or better).
A physical exam: We assess your shoulder’s motion, strength, stability, and look for signs that might hint at bursitis, tendinitis, tendon/ligament injury, or joint issues.
Imaging or advanced diagnostics (if needed): Sometimes we may recommend imaging (like ultrasound or MRI) or nerve studies to get a clearer view — especially when the diagnosis isn’t straightforward.

Our Treatment Philosophy: Conservative First, Surgery Only If Necessary

Whenever possible, we start with conservative, non-surgical treatments because many shoulder problems can improve significantly with the proper care. Options include:

Physical therapy and guided exercises — to restore mobility, strengthen supporting muscles, correct posture or movement patterns, and improve shoulder mechanics.
Regenerative therapies & injection treatments — for example, options like Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP), dextrose prolotherapy, or other injection-based approaches that support healing rather than mask pain. These are especially useful for tendon-related injuries, partial tears, or chronic inflammation.
Lifestyle modifications, ergonomic corrections, posture/movement retraining — often the underlying causes of shoulder pain are repetitive strain, poor posture, or overuse. Addressing those can prevent recurrence.
Surgical referral (when appropriate) — for more severe injuries such as full-thickness rotator cuff tears, labral tears, or structural joint damage, where conservative care isn’t enough. Even then, we aim to guide you through the safest, most effective path back to health.

When to Seek Specialized Care

If you’ve noticed any of the following, it’s a good idea to get evaluated by a shoulder specialist:

Pain that persists for weeks or worsens over time
Difficulty lifting your arm or performing daily tasks (like reaching overhead, lifting objects, or grooming)
Weakness, instability, or “giving way” in the shoulder
Stiffness and reduced range of motion (especially if simple stretching isn’t improving things)
Pain at night or during rest
Pain that interferes with sleep, work, sports, or your quality of life

Early diagnosis gives you the best chance for effective recovery.

Ready to Reclaim Your Shoulder Health?

If shoulder pain is limiting your life, don’t wait until it worsens — early evaluation and treatment often lead to better outcomes. Whether the pain started after a sports injury, a repetitive task at work, or from gradual wear and tear, we’re here to help you get back to doing what you love, pain-free.

Call us at 949-460-9111 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sunshine, learn more about your options, and take the first step toward lasting shoulder health.

Note: This information is intended to educate — it does not replace a personal consultation with a qualified medical professional.

Why Choose OC Sports and Wellness

We treat shoulder pain with the depth and expertise of a sports-medicine practice, not just a general doctor’s office. That means you get a specialist approach tuned to athletes, weekend warriors, active professionals — or anyone who doesn’t want pain to hold them back.
Each patient receives a customized treatment plan, guided by their pain cause, daily demands (work, sport, lifestyle), and personal health goals.
We emphasize long-term results — improving mobility, strength, and joint health, not just masking pain temporarily.
For many common shoulder problems, we offer minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments — giving you a gentler path to recovery.