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Wrist, Shoulder & Hand Pain Treatments

Upper Extremity Pain

Welcome to Grand Rapids Pain, the premier destination for effective hand, wrist, and shoulder pain management in Grand Rapids, MI. With the most experienced interventional pain specialists in West Michigan, we bring a wealth of expertise and decades of experience to the table.

At Grand Rapids Pain, we take pride in utilizing leading-edge technology and state-of-the-art treatments to address your specific needs. Our dedicated team understands that every patient is unique, and we are committed to providing personalized care tailored to your condition.

Compassion and quality care are at the core of everything we do. Our amazing staff is highly rated by our patients, ensuring you receive the support and attention you deserve throughout your treatment journey.

But we don't stop there. At Grand Rapids Pain, we believe in the power of education and staying at the forefront of advancements in pain management. We strive to not only manage your pain but also to empower and educate you with the latest knowledge in the field, equipping you with the tools to make informed decisions about your health.

Discover the difference at Grand Rapids Pain, where experience, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-centered approach converge to provide you with unparalleled pain management solutions. Your well-being is our priority, and we're here to help you reclaim your life.

Appointments

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Our Leading Grand Rapids Pain Management Clinic

Chronic Upper Extremity Pain Treatment

At Grand Rapids Pain, we believe that a coordinated and comprehensive approach to pain management is the key to long-term success. That's why we offer a full spectrum of care, including innovative treatments like regenerative therapies, physical therapy, lifestyle counseling, and injections.

Our team has extensive experience in treating chronic upper extremity conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tears, and tennis elbow, along with the following chronic conditions:

  • Phantom Limb Pain: Phantom limb pain is a sensation of pain that occurs in a limb that has been amputated. This condition can be distressing and impact daily functioning. At Grand Rapids Pain, our experienced specialists are skilled in managing phantom limb pain. We provide tailored treatment options such as medication, nerve blocks, mirror therapy, and innovative technologies to help reduce pain and enhance your quality of life.
  • Arthritis: Arthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Whether you are dealing with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another form of the disease, our team has the expertise to provide comprehensive arthritis pain management. We offer a range of treatments, including medication, joint injections, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications, to alleviate pain, improve joint function, and enhance your overall mobility.
  • Cancer Pain: Dealing with cancer is challenging enough, and managing cancer-related pain can further impact your quality of life. At Grand Rapids Pain, we understand the unique needs of individuals with cancer and offer compassionate care tailored to your specific situation. Our multidisciplinary approach includes medication management, interventional procedures, palliative care techniques, and psychological support to effectively manage cancer pain and improve your overall well-being. In addition, while some cancer pain is terminal, much of it is not. Nonetheless, if one suffers from this, it can have a devastating effect on your quality of life.  Our entire team can offer the latest techniques for reducing pain while simultaneously working with your primary care team and your cancer specialists. We offer treatment techniques that often complement ‘traditional’ cancer pain treatments, but most commonly, our patients who have had cancer-related chronic pain have greatly benefitted from our techniques. We can provide a significant reduction in your cancer pain while treating the actual cause of the pain and/or reducing the actual ‘transmission’ of your cancer pain, WITHOUT the mind ‘numbing’ effects of high-dose narcotics. We utilize a combination of indicated conservative support therapies, pain medications (narcotic and non-narcotic if indicated), and targeted treatment of the actual cancer pain problem itself to reduce the pain at the source while simultaneously reducing the side effects of the narcotics (if they are indicated). This allows the cancer pain patient to be ‘present’ with their family, friends, and loved ones with less sedation and other unpleasant or dangerous side effects of higher-dosed narcotics (confusion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, respiratory depression). For the “non-terminal” cancer survivor, the cancer may be gone, but unfortunately, the cancer and/or the treatment for the cancer can often cause chronic pain itself.  Grand Rapids Pain offers state-of-the-art care for this common and unfortunate problem. We will be there for you and your family whether your diagnosis is terminal or you have beat your battle with cancer. If the pain continues, let Grand Rapids Pain be your place for the best pain care.  
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition characterized by severe and persistent pain, often affecting the extremities. Our highly skilled team specializes in diagnosing and treating CRPS. We employ a multidimensional approach that may include medication, nerve blocks, physical therapy, and alternative therapies to help reduce pain, restore function, and enhance your quality of life.
  • Muscle Pain: Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, can arise from various causes, such as muscle strains, overuse, or underlying medical conditions. Muscle pain itself is often a common sign of a coexisting problem in the body causing pain. The secondary effect is chronic muscle pain, but the primary cause of the pain may be something else. Grand Rapids Pain will diagnose if your pain is from the muscles only, or (as in the majority of very stubborn cases) your muscle pain is the result of an underlying cause. At Grand Rapids Pain, we offer comprehensive evaluations to identify the root cause of your muscle pain and then treat the actual cause of the muscle pain. Our treatment options may include medication, physical therapy, trigger point injections, and lifestyle modifications to alleviate pain, improve muscle function, and promote overall healing.
  • Nerve Pain: Nerve pain, also called neuropathic pain, is a complex condition that can be challenging to manage. All pain is ultimately transmitted via nerves, but not all pain is transmitted of or from the nerves as the source of the nerve pain. It is imperative that you seek the experts at Grand Rapids Pain to help determine exactly what type of nerve pain you are suffering from, because only with a proper diagnosis, can an effective treatment plan be implemented. Nerve pain of all types is very painful and can be debilitating. Our skilled specialists at Grand Rapids Pain are experienced in diagnosing and treating nerve pain. We provide personalized treatment plans that may include medication management, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion neuromodulation), physical therapy, and alternative therapies to alleviate pain and improve your quality of life.
  • Chronic Cervical Radicular Pain:  Nerve pain that is due to chronic irritation of the exiting nerve roots as they leave the neck spine area and then travel down the neck, shoulder, and arm/hand is called chronic cervical radicular pain. At Grand Rapids Pain, we offer state of the art techniques to help differentiate whether the pain in your arm/hand/upper extremity is in part or entirety due to chronic irritation, compression, or some other problem of the exiting nerve roots in the neck. Once Grand Rapids Pain confirms this, we can direct our treatment plan to help reduce this pain with a multidimensional approach that may include medication, nerve blocks, physical therapy, alternative therapies, neuromodulation, and pain behavioral techniques, all directed to reduce your pain and improve your daily life.  
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD): Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type I, is a chronic condition characterized by intense pain, swelling, and changes in the soft tissue temperature, or soft tissue as well as muscle pain, tightness of joints, ligaments, and even bone and joint degeneration if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS Type II) is a chronic condition also characterized by intense pain, swelling, and skin/soft/bone tissue changes due to injury of a nerve in the body. No matter if the diagnosis is CRPS Type I, Type II, or sometimes both I/II, it is important to seek a team with expertise in diagnosing this problem, and then providing you with the state-of-the-art treatment needed to overcome it. Our compassionate team is dedicated to helping individuals with RSD/CRPS find relief. We offer a range of treatment options, including medication, nerve blocks, physical therapy, neuromodulation, DRG neuromodulation, and psychological support, to effectively manage symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the most common upper extremity pain causes?

Some of the most common causes of upper extremity pain include:

  • Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) from overuse or poor ergonomics.
  • Muscle imbalances or weaknesses.
  • Tendonitis or inflammation of tendons.
  • Arthritis or joint inflammation.
  • Nerve impingement or compression.
  • Traumatic injuries such as fractures or dislocations.
  • Poor posture or improper body mechanics.
  • Nerve irritation from the neck or upper spinal nerves
  • Previous trauma, and/or previous surgery to a limb

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

When should my upper extremity pain symptoms be treated by a pain management doctor?

Upper extremity pain symptoms should be treated by a pain management doctor when they significantly affect daily activities, persist for an extended period, or worsen over time. It is always best to consult with a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.

Do you accept insurance for pain management & treatment?

Yes! At Grand Rapids Pain, we accept most major insurance plans as well as workers’ compensation. We always recommend that you check with your insurance provider regarding coverage and eligibility. Our team of pain management specialists will work with you to ensure that all necessary steps are taken for you to get the care you need.

How can I get started with the best upper extremity specialist near me?

It’s simple to get started with Grand Rapids Pain. Just reach out to us using our simple, patient-friendly online appointment request form.

Michigan’s Leading-Edge Pain Management Specialists

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Appointments(616) 727-0083