Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine
Shoulder Pain Doctor in Rochester, MI Non-Surgical Care From Board-Certified Doctors
Shoulder pain is a widespread chronic issue that can affect people of all ages. Many shoulder pain patients find it challenging to find effective treatments that reduce their pain levels and restore range of motion to the shoulder.
★ 4.7 Google rating · Board-certified physicians · Rochester Hills & Grand Rapids
What causes shoulder pain, and how can regenerative medicine help?
Shoulder pain often comes from rotator cuff tendon problems, partial tears, arthritis, bursitis, or an old injury that never fully healed. Our physicians start with an exam and imaging, then discuss non-surgical options such as PRP, bone marrow (stem cell) treatment, or prolotherapy, placed with ultrasound guidance. Results vary.
Shoulder pain is a widespread chronic issue that can affect people of all ages. Many shoulder pain patients find it challenging to find effective treatments that reduce their pain levels and restore range of motion to the shoulder. At the Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine, our board-certified physicians harness the power of regenerative medicine to bring shoulder pain patients in Rochester effective treatments free from invasive surgery and powerful medications. If past shoulder pain treatments have not provided adequate pain relief, or if you are considering surgery, get a second opinion at the Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine to see if our shoulder pain doctors can provide you with the pain relief and restored mobility you deserve.
Understanding What Causes Shoulder Pain
Regenerative medicine is different from other shoulder pain treatments in that it strives to identify what is causing your pain and how our treatments can focus on the root cause of your pain. This approach separates it from treatment paths that merely cover up your pain, like powerful medications, and more invasive treatments like surgery. Several regenerative medicine treatments may be effective for treating your shoulder pain, which is minimally invasive and medication-free, making these treatments an excellent option for many shoulder pain patients. Let’s explore some common reasons why patients develop shoulder pain and how our Rochester, MI shoulder pain doctors can help you take your life back from chronic pain.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain Treatable By Shoulder Pain Doctors In Rochester, MI
There are several injuries and diseases that can leave patients dealing with chronic shoulder pain and associated decreased range of motion of the shoulder joint. Understanding the root cause of your shoulder pain is the first key to developing an effective regenerative medicine treatment plan for pain reduction. Common causes of shoulder pain we see frequently in patients include:
Tendonitis of the Shoulder: Tendonitis is the medical term for the irritation of the tendons in the shoulder that can become inflamed from overuse. Tendonitis typically affects athletes and people who work physically demanding jobs, but anyone can develop a case of shoulder tendonitis. Tendons connect muscles to bones, with the rotator cuff tendons being the most commonly affected tendons that develop tendonitis in the shoulder. Tendonitis can be treated with regenerative medicine treatments like platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) to speed up the body’s natural healing process through a minimally invasive procedure with minimal discomfort. With PRP, a patient’s own blood is drawn and placed into a centrifuge that separates plasma and platelets in the blood and concentrates them. This concentrated solution of plasma and platelets is injected by our own shoulder pain doctors into the treatment site to stimulate the body’s natural healing response, which may lead to quicker recovery times from shoulder tendonitis.
Rotator Cuff Tears: The shoulder’s rotator cuff is made up of a series of muscles and tendons that come together over the humerus to hold it in the shoulder socket. When one of the muscles or tendons is torn, it can lead to intense pain and a decreased range of motion in the shoulder. Stem cell therapy has become viable as a treatment option for rotator cuff tears. With stem cell therapy, the body’s stem cells are drawn from bone marrow and infused into the injury site to stimulate a healing response, which may lead to faster recovery times for rotator cuff injuries.
Why Injection Placement Matters For Shoulder Pain Treatment
One of the key factors for positive outcomes after a regenerative medicine procedure is injection placement. You may be wondering why injection placement is vital for shoulder pain treatment. It’s important to understand that regenerative medicine treatments for shoulder pain rely on high concentrations of cells and other growth factors, targeted directly to damaged tissues. If the injection location is not exactly where the damaged tissue is located, you may not get the results you’re hoping for.
At The Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine, all of our Board-Certified doctors have training in injection placement, also known as fluoroscopy. In fact, several of our shoulder pain doctors have received extensive training in this branch of medicine, enabling them to be highly precise when performing shoulder pain treatment procedures. All of our procedures are performed under X-ray or ultrasound guidance to ensure we inject the proper amount of material into the exact spot where you are experiencing discomfort.
Bounce Back to Normal Activity Faster After a Shoulder Injury With Regenerative Medicine
One of the biggest benefits of choosing regenerative medicine over surgery for a shoulder injury is the shorter recovery time. With a regenerative medicine procedure, you will likely start to feel improvement after 2-3 weeks, with gradual improvement thereafter. Depending on the type of procedure you have done, you could continue to see improvement for several months. You can talk with your doctor to determine when you should expect to see optimal results. With shoulder surgery, you will likely be immobilized for many months, which can make determining whether the surgery was successful very challenging.
Conditions
Shoulder Conditions Our Physicians Evaluate
Shoulder pain has many sources. Your exam and imaging determine which treatment fits.
Knee arthritis and old injuries can limit walks and stairs. An exam shows which options fit.
Shoulder symptoms can come from tendons, the joint or nerves, so diagnosis comes first.
Back discomfort does not always start in a disc. Careful evaluation guides the next step.
Hip, elbow and ankle concerns are reviewed with your history, exam and imaging.
Lingering problems after a sports injury or car accident get a full evaluation.
Neuropathy, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and more. Browse every condition we evaluate.
Patient reviews
What Our Patients Say
In Their Words
We were amazed at how thorough the explanation of the recommended procedure was. I knew just what would happen and what I was agreeing to.
Steve G. Regenerative medicine patient
This doctor is very professional, using layman’s terms and taking his time with my parents to fully explain everything, and in answering all our questions!
Rosanna Windsor, Ontario · Family of a stem cell patient
Dr Nabity answered every question/concerns I had prior to the procedure in detail. If you leave a message for him he always calls you back himself.
Connie H. New Baltimore, MI · Stem cell patient
Excerpts from our patient testimonials.
Individual results vary. Reviews reflect each patient’s own experience.
Your visit
Your Path to Treatment
Most visits follow four simple steps. Our team guides you through each one and answers questions along the way.
1. Consultation
Meet your physician, talk through your symptoms, and review your history and goals.
2. Diagnosis & Imaging
Ultrasound or other imaging helps identify the source of your pain.
3. Treatment
If regenerative treatment fits your shoulder, your physician places it precisely with ultrasound guidance and gives you a rehab plan.
4. Follow-Up
Check-ins track your progress and adjust your plan as needed.
Insurance & cost
Insurance, Self-Pay, and Clear Pricing
We accept many major insurance plans for consultations, testing, and many spine and joint procedures. Regenerative treatments such as PRP and stem cell therapy are usually self-pay, so you get a clear estimate before you decide.
Usually billed to insurance
- Consultations and office visits
- EMG and nerve testing
- Epidural, facet, and SI joint injections
- Nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and nerve stimulators
Usually self-pay
- PRP and stem cell therapy (BMAC)
- Prolotherapy
- PRP hair restoration
- Stem cell banking
Self-pay options include prompt-pay discounts, payment plans, and HSA or FSA funds for eligible expenses.
Plans we accept
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- PPO Trust
UMR coming soon. Blue Care Network plans require a referral. Coverage varies by plan and service, so call Rochester Hills (248) 216-1008 or Grand Rapids (616) 288-1109 and we will check your benefits.
Why patients choose Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine
- Board-certified physicians Every procedure is performed by a board-certified physician, not a technician.
- Image-guided precision Ultrasound or fluoroscopic (x-ray) guidance places treatment exactly where it is needed.
- Your own cells, prepared on site Platelets and bone marrow cells are processed in our in-house lab during your visit.
- Results we track We have reported patient outcomes to the DataBiologics registry since 2019.
- Clear, upfront pricing Itemized estimates before treatment, prompt-pay discounts, and payment plans.
- Physicians who teach physicians Our doctors teach orthobiologic courses and helped write national back pain guidelines.
Our physicians
Meet Your Care Team
Thomas Nabity, MD
Board-certified physician
John Santa Ana, DO
Board-certified physician
Robert Farhat, DO
Board-certified physician
Kevin M. Nemeth, MD
Board-certified physician
John Steele, MD
Board-certified physician
Christopher Hannasch, DO
Board-certified physician
Credentials & memberships
Training You Can Look Up
Board certification shows a physician completed specialty training and passed independent exams. Our physicians go further, with added certifications and memberships in orthobiologics, musculoskeletal ultrasound and electrodiagnostic medicine. Each program is run by an independent organization, so you can see exactly what it requires.
PM&R Board Certification
Board certification in physical medicine and rehabilitation, the specialty focused on restoring function.
Pain Medicine Board Certification
Board certification in pain medicine, covering evaluation and treatment of complex pain conditions.
IOF Certification Courses
Advanced knee, hip and spine certification courses in image-guided orthobiologic procedures.
IOF Instructors & Training Hub
Our physicians teach other doctors as IOF instructors, and our Rochester Hills clinic hosts training.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Certified in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound, the imaging used to guide our treatments.
Electrodiagnostic Medicine
Board certification in electrodiagnostic medicine, the specialty behind EMG and nerve testing.
American Academy of PM&R
The national society for physiatrists, physicians focused on restoring movement.
Interventional Pain (ASIPP)
A society that sets education and practice standards for interventional pain medicine.
Orthopaedic Medicine (AAOM)
A physician group focused on non-surgical musculoskeletal care, including prolotherapy.
DataBiologics Registry
We report patient outcomes to a national orthobiologics registry to track results over time.
Patient stories
Hear From Our Patients
Patients describe their own experiences with care at the Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine. Individual results vary.
Patient Testimonial
Patient Testimonial
FAQ
Shoulder Pain Questions
Answers to common questions from Rochester patients. Your physician can address your specific situation during a consultation.
What causes shoulder pain?
Common causes include rotator cuff tendinopathy and tears, arthritis, bursitis, impingement, and old injuries that never fully healed.
Can PRP help a rotator cuff injury?
PRP may help some patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy or partial tears, especially alongside rehab. Results vary.
Do I need an MRI first?
Not always. Your physician may use an exam, X-rays, or diagnostic ultrasound, and will tell you if an MRI is needed.
Can regenerative treatment help me avoid shoulder surgery?
For some patients it may. A complete tear or an unstable shoulder may still need surgery, and your physician will be honest about which applies.
Are shoulder injections image-guided?
Yes. Our physicians use ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance to place treatment precisely.
How long is recovery?
Most patients return to light activity soon after treatment, then follow a gradual rehab plan over several weeks.
Does insurance cover regenerative shoulder treatment?
Regenerative treatments are usually self-pay. Some conventional joint injections can be billed to insurance.
Do you treat shoulder pain in Grand Rapids?
Yes. Shoulder care is available at both our Rochester Hills and Grand Rapids offices.
Where are your offices?
Rochester Hills: 355 Barclay Cir, Suite A, (248) 216-1008. Grand Rapids: 1000 E. Paris Ave SE, Suite 221, (616) 288-1109.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Call (248) 216-1008 for Rochester Hills or (616) 288-1109 for Grand Rapids, or use the short form on this page.
Keep learning
Related Regenerative Medicine Articles
Sports Injuries & Active Living · PRP Therapy
From a Torn Meniscus to the Kona Finish Line: Heather’s Ironman Story
After PRP for a torn meniscus, Heather trained for and finished the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. Here is her comeback story.
Stem Cells & Orthobiologics · Joint & Spine Pain
What Is Stem Cell Therapy and Could You Benefit From It?
Learn what stem cell therapy is, how bone marrow concentrate is used to support healing, which conditions it may help and how to find out if you are a candidate.
Joint & Spine Pain
A Nonsurgical Approach for Painful Joints with Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is a nonsurgical injection treatment that aims to strengthen ligaments and tendons and relieve chronic joint pain. Learn how it works and who it may help.
Next step
Find Out if Regenerative Shoulder Care Is Right for You
Answer a few short questions and our team will contact you to schedule a consultation.
Share your symptoms and goals in the short form.
Our team contacts you to schedule a consultation.
Meet a board-certified physician in Grand Rapids or Rochester Hills.
★ 4.7 Google ratingBoard-certified physiciansTwo Michigan clinics
Prefer to talk?Rochester Hills (248) 216-1008Grand Rapids (616) 288-1109
Free webinar replay
Watch: Pain Management Treatment Strategies
Watch the replay of our physicians’ webinar on pain management treatment strategies.
Our physicians host free webinars with live Q&A. Watch any past webinar on demand, or call us to ask about the next date.
Our locations
Visit Our Michigan Clinics
Rochester Hills Clinic
355 Barclay Cir, Suite A
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Grand Rapids Clinic
1000 E. Paris Ave SE, Suite 221
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:30 pm
Areas we serve
Shoulder Pain Care Near You
Patients visit our Rochester Hills and Grand Rapids clinics from across Michigan.
