Shoulder pain is one of the most common causes of reduced mobility among adults in Israel.
Office workers, manual laborers, drivers, athletes, and older patients all face the same complaint:
“I can’t lift my arm,” “the pain gets worse at night,” “it shoots when I move,”
or “I can’t sleep on my side anymore.”
In most cases, shoulder pain does not appear suddenly.
It usually develops gradually over months or even years,
until it becomes constant and begins to interfere with everyday life.
That is why people increasingly search online for
how to treat shoulder joint pain,
whether surgery can be avoided,
and which modern treatments actually work.
In this article, we explain why the shoulder hurts,
which conditions most commonly cause shoulder pain,
and which treatment approaches are used in Israel today,
including shockwave therapy (ESWT),
as applied at the Pain Treatment Clinic — ESWT.
Why the Shoulder Is One of the Most Vulnerable Joints
The shoulder joint has the greatest range of motion in the human body.
We lift, rotate, reach, carry weight, and stabilize objects —
all thanks to a complex system of tendons, muscles, and the joint capsule.
Unlike the knee or hip, the shoulder is not supported by large, stable bone structures.
Most of the load is carried by soft tissues,
which are prone to overuse, irritation, and degeneration.
Clinical experience in Israeli pain clinics shows that
in most cases shoulder pain is not caused by cartilage wear,
but by problems affecting tendons and surrounding soft tissues.
Main Causes of Shoulder Pain
Tendinitis and Tendinopathy of the Shoulder
One of the most common causes of shoulder pain.
It develops due to chronic overload of the rotator cuff tendons.
- pain when lifting the arm upward or sideways;
- worsening pain during backward movements;
- feeling of weakness in the arm;
- night pain, especially when lying on the affected side.
Calcific Tendinitis (Calcium Deposits in the Shoulder)
In this condition, calcium deposits form inside the tendons.
For a long time, they may cause no symptoms,
but at some point they can trigger sudden, severe pain
and significant restriction of movement.
Patients often describe it as:
“the pain started suddenly, without injury,”
“I can’t lift my arm,”
“painkillers don’t help at all.”
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
A condition in which shoulder mobility gradually decreases.
Pain may not always be severe,
but movement becomes increasingly limited,
as if the shoulder is “locked.”
Frozen shoulder often develops after injuries,
long periods of immobilization,
or in patients with diabetes and hormonal disorders.
Chronic Overuse and Microtrauma
Prolonged computer work,
physical labor,
sports activity,
and repetitive arm movements
can lead to microdamage of the tendons
and eventually to chronic shoulder pain.
Why Shoulder Pain Often Gets Worse at Night
Night pain is one of the most distressing symptoms for patients.
- inflammatory processes become more noticeable at rest;
- pressure on tendons increases when lying on the side;
- blood circulation in tissues decreases during sleep.
Because of night pain,
many patients seek treatment even when daytime pain still seems manageable.
Why Pills, Creams, and Injections Often Fail Long-Term
Many patients in Israel follow the same path:
painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs,
topical gels, general physiotherapy,
and sometimes steroid injections.
Pain may temporarily improve,
but often returns.
The reason is that chronic shoulder pain is usually associated with
poor blood supply to tendons,
slow tissue regeneration,
and degenerative changes.
Without stimulating healing processes,
the underlying problem remains.
Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for Shoulder Pain
Shockwave therapy is a modern, non-invasive treatment method
widely used in Israel in orthopedics and pain medicine.
During treatment, acoustic shockwaves of controlled frequency
are applied to the painful area.
No injections, anesthesia, or surgery are required.
- improves local blood circulation;
- stimulates tendon regeneration;
- reduces chronic inflammation;
- decreases pain sensitivity;
- helps break down calcium deposits.
Shockwave therapy is particularly effective
for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder.
When Shockwave Therapy Is Recommended in Israel
In clinical practice at the Pain Treatment Clinic — ESWT,
shockwave therapy is most often considered when:
- shoulder pain lasts longer than 1–2 months;
- range of motion is limited;
- calcium deposits are present;
- standard treatments have failed;
- the patient wants to avoid surgery.
ESWT is not a one-time painkiller,
but a method aimed at restoring tissue function.
What Treatment Looks Like
Before treatment begins, the clinician evaluates pain characteristics,
range of motion, and symptom duration.
Ultrasound or X-ray imaging may be recommended if needed.
Each session lasts about 10–15 minutes
and is performed on an outpatient basis.
Patients can usually return to normal activity immediately,
while avoiding excessive shoulder load for 1–2 days.
A typical course includes
3–6 sessions
with intervals of 5–10 days.
How Often Can Shockwave Therapy Be Done?
One of the most common questions is
how often shockwave therapy can be performed.
In most cases, the optimal schedule is
one session per week
or once every 7–10 days.
The interval is individualized
to allow tissues enough time to respond and recover.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Without proper treatment,
shoulder pain can lead to persistent stiffness,
muscle weakness,
postural changes,
increased strain on the neck and back,
and chronic sleep disturbance.
The earlier treatment begins,
the easier and faster recovery usually is.
Where Shoulder Pain Is Treated in Israel
The Pain Treatment Clinic — ESWT
accepts patients with shoulder pain
from different regions of Israel.
- Haifa
- Krayot — Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Ata
- other cities of Northern Israel
- patients from Central Israel
The clinic also operates in:
Petah Tikva,
Netanya,
Hadera,
and Kfar Saba.
Detailed information about treatment options and appointments
is available on the clinic’s official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can calcium deposits in the shoulder be treated without surgery?
In many cases, yes.
Modern treatments such as shockwave therapy
can significantly reduce pain and restore function
without surgical intervention.
When should improvement be expected?
Some patients feel relief after 1–2 sessions,
while others improve gradually by the end of the treatment course.
Is shockwave therapy safe?
When indications are properly selected,
shockwave therapy is considered safe
and is widely used in pain treatment clinics throughout Israel.