MI Express Urgent & Primary Care
44237 Michigan Ave Suite B, Canton, MI 48188
Monday - Friday : 9 AM - 7 PM
Saturday - Sunday : 10 AM - 6 PM
MI Express Urgent & Primary Care
80 S Zeeb Rd Unit 101 B, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Monday - Friday : 9 AM - 7 PM
Saturday - Sunday : 10 AM - 6 PM
Shoulder pain shows up differently depending on what is going on underneath, but a few patterns are common enough to watch for.
Most shoulder pain traces back to the rotator cuff, the group of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder joint together and allow the range of motion the joint is known for.
Tendonitis is inflammation and irritation of the rotator cuff tendon, usually from overuse, and it tends to respond well to non-surgical treatment. A partial or full tear is a structural break in the tendon itself, and while some tears also respond to non-surgical care, others need a surgical opinion. The two can feel similar day to day, both can cause pain with overhead movement and discomfort at night, which is exactly why guessing from symptoms alone is not a great plan. Dr. Azimi's exam is built to tell the difference through movement testing and a review of your history, and that determines everything that comes next.
Shockwave Therapy: a non-invasive option for rotator cuff tendonitis, delivered over a short series of in-office sessions with no downtime, so you can keep up with day-to-day movement while the tendon heals.
Learn more about shockwave therapy.
PRP: considered for partial tears or chronic degeneration where added regenerative support may help.
Learn more about PRP therapy.
Steroid injection: used only for short-term flare relief, with caution given the tendon involvement in this condition.
Learn more about steroid joint injections.The exam findings, more than the symptoms alone, determine whether an injection is genuinely appropriate here, which is why this is decided during your visit rather than in advance.
A thorough evaluation before recommending treatment is the standard here, not an extra step. Dr. Umayr Azimi, MD, dual board-certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, takes the time to distinguish tendonitis from a tear rather than treating every shoulder the same way. If your shoulder does need a surgical opinion, you will know that early, rather than after weeks of a treatment plan that was never going to fully resolve it. Both the Canton and Ann Arbor locations offer walk-in and same-week visits, seven days a week.
Book My AssessmentIt depends on the type and severity of the tear. Some partial tears respond well to non-surgical treatment, while others need a surgical opinion, which your exam will clarify.
Not always. Many cases of shoulder pain, especially tendonitis, improve with non-surgical treatment. Dr. Azimi will let you know if your case needs a specialist.
It varies by condition and treatment. Some patients notice less pain within the first couple of sessions, while full improvement can take several weeks.
Night pain is often linked to rotator cuff irritation or inflammation that worsens with certain sleeping positions. An evaluation can identify the specific cause.
