Key Takeaways
- Chronic shoulder pain is often caused by conditions such as arthritis, nerve irritation, or soft tissue injury that don’t fully respond to rest or medication.
- When standard treatments fail, advanced therapies like Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) can target the source of pain for lasting relief.
- PNS offers a minimally invasive, non-surgical solution with a short trial period to test effectiveness before committing to permanent implantation.
- These advanced treatments help patients regain function, reduce medication dependence, and return to daily life comfortably.
- Grand Rapids Pain is a leader in shoulder pain management and advanced nerve stimulation treatments in Grand Rapids, MI. Schedule your consultation today to start your path toward relief.
Understanding Chronic Shoulder Pain
Persistent shoulder pain can disrupt every part of your life, from lifting a coffee mug to getting a good night’s sleep. For many people, this pain lingers long after an injury heals or develops gradually due to wear and tear.
Common Causes of Chronic Shoulder Pain
The shoulder is a complex joint made of muscles, tendons, and nerves that allow a wide range of movement. Because of this complexity, pain can stem from multiple sources:
- Rotator cuff tears or tendonitis – Overuse or age-related degeneration.
- Arthritis – Inflammation in the shoulder joint, causing stiffness and chronic ache.
- Nerve compression – Irritation or injury of the cervical or peripheral nerves radiating pain down the arm.
- Post-surgical or post-injury pain – Lingering discomfort after trauma or prior procedures.
At Grand Rapids Pain, specialists assess whether the pain originates from muscle tissue, nerves, or joint structures before tailoring an individualized treatment plan.
Why Traditional Treatments Don’t Always Work
Conservative treatments, like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections, can bring short-term relief. However, chronic or nerve-related pain often persists because these approaches don’t address the source of the pain signals.
At this stage, many patients are told that surgery is the next step. However, advanced interventional techniques, such as Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS), provide a minimally invasive alternative that targets pain at its source, without requiring extensive recovery or hospital stays.
PNS is also known to be particularly helpful for chronic shoulder pain in two specific and critical scenarios: before shoulder surgery (to possibly avoid surgery altogether), and after surgery has failed to provide sufficient relief. This positions PNS as an effective therapy not only for those avoiding surgery but also for those who have already undergone surgical procedures without the desired outcome.
This same innovative therapy has shown exceptional results for various chronic pain conditions, including nerve-related shoulder pain, making it one of today’s most versatile and promising treatment options.
How Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Works for Shoulder Pain
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) is a cutting-edge therapy designed to quiet overactive pain signals. It works by delivering mild electrical impulses directly to the peripheral nerves that transmit shoulder pain to the brain.
The Science Behind PNS
- A tiny electrode is placed near the affected nerve under imaging guidance.
- The electrode connects to a small external stimulator that delivers electrical pulses.
- These pulses “distract” the nerve from sending pain signals, replacing them with a soothing sensation or complete relief.
Unlike other neurostimulation techniques like Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) or Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulation, PNS does not require an implanted internal pulse generator (IPG) or battery. Instead, the implanted lead remains inactive until the patient uses a small external transmitter that sends a signal to the internal device. This wireless activation controls pain without permanently powering the device or requiring recharging, replacement, or battery maintenance.
Many patients find that just a few to several minutes of PNS therapy can provide relief lasting for hours or even days. Since the system does not rely on an implanted computer or battery, the tiny internal PNS lead is discreet, requires no long-term maintenance, and may last a lifetime. Furthermore, PNS works without numbing the area or impairing motor control, making it one of the least invasive and most functional solutions available for complex shoulder pain.
This treatment is reversible, customizable, and performed on an outpatient basis, meaning most patients return home the same day. PNS has shown significant success for chronic shoulder pain, especially for patients who haven’t improved with standard therapy.
The PNS Trial Process: A Safe and Personalized Approach
Before implantation, patients undergo a short trial, typically up to 7 days, to confirm meaningful pain relief. During this period, you can continue regular daily activities while evaluating how well the stimulation improves comfort and function. If the trial reduces pain and enhances mobility, a permanent stimulator can be placed under the skin through a minimally invasive procedure.
At Grand Rapids Pain, this process is performed by experienced pain management physicians in their advanced surgical center, ensuring precision and comfort from start to finish.
Comparing Traditional vs. Advanced Therapies
| Aspect | Traditional Treatments | Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) |
|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Often includes injections or surgery | Minimally invasive (small electrode placement) |
| Recovery Time | Weeks to months | 1–2 days for trial, quick return to activities |
| Effectiveness | Temporary relief | Long-term pain reduction and improved function |
| Medication Need | Often ongoing | Frequently reduces or eliminates medications |
| Customizability | Fixed regimen | Adjustable settings to suit each patient’s pain pattern |
Long-Term Benefits of Advanced Therapies
Advanced treatments like PNS are redefining chronic pain management. Patients who previously struggled with daily activities can experience:
- Lasting relief from shoulder and arm pain.
- Improved sleep and quality of life.
- Reduced dependency on opioids or pain medications.
- Enhanced range of motion and return to normal activity levels.
And for patients concerned about the long-term maintenance, surgical burden, or size of implanted devices, PNS offers a truly unique advantage: no internal battery, no recharging, and no device replacement due to power source depletion.
At Grand Rapids Pain, these therapies are combined with other proven options such as radiofrequency ablation, nerve block injections, and physical therapy to provide a truly comprehensive approach.
Advanced Therapies, Real Relief
If you’ve tried everything for shoulder pain with little success, it’s time to explore advanced therapies that go beyond temporary fixes. At Grand Rapids Pain, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation and other minimally invasive treatments can help you reclaim your mobility, confidence, and comfort.
To learn whether you’re a candidate for PNS or another advanced therapy, schedule an appointment with Grand Rapids Pain today. Relief may be closer than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Peripheral Nerve Stimulation different from surgery?
PNS is non-surgical and minimally invasive. Instead of cutting or removing tissue, it gently modulates nerve activity to reduce pain, allowing most patients to resume daily activities within days.
How effective is PNS for shoulder pain?
Clinical studies and Grand Rapids Pain’s own experience show that many patients experience pain reduction and sustained relief for months or even years after treatment.
Is the PNS trial painful or risky?
The trial is safe and performed under local anesthesia. Most patients describe the sensation as mild tingling rather than discomfort, and because it’s temporary, it carries minimal risk.
Will insurance cover Peripheral Nerve Stimulation?
Insurance coverage for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) can vary. Most major insurers, including Medicare, still cover it when medically necessary. However, Medicare is reviewing future coverage for peripheral nerve procedures starting in 2026. Because policies may change, Grand Rapids Pain helps patients check their benefits and get any needed pre-authorization before treatment.
Who should consider PNS?
PNS is ideal for patients with chronic shoulder pain caused by nerve injury, post-surgical pain, or musculoskeletal conditions who haven’t found relief with standard treatments.
