Alternative & complementary remedies: what the evidence says
24 articles
Essential guide · Remedies
Alternative Remedies for Shoulder Pain: What the Evidence Says About Each
Do supplements, acupuncture or other remedies help shoulder pain? See the evidence level for each, the medication warning and the better first steps.
9-minute read →
Remedies
Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Acetaminophen vs NSAIDs for Shoulder Pain
Acetaminophen and NSAIDs work differently. Here is what to know about each for shoulder pain, and why a pharmacist or doctor should guide the choice.
5-minute read →
Remedies
PRP and Stem-Cell Injections for Shoulders: Expensive, Uncertain
PRP and stem-cell shoulder injections can be costly, and the evidence is uncertain. Learn what they are, what to ask, and what to try first.
5-minute read →
Remedies
Shockwave Therapy for Calcific Shoulder Tendinitis: One of the Better-Supported Options
Shockwave is a clinic treatment some clinicians consider for calcific shoulder tendinitis. Here is what is known, what is not, and who decides.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Hydrotherapy and Pool Exercise for Shoulders: Why Water Works
Some people find water makes shoulder movement easier. Pool exercise is worth trying, but shoulder-specific evidence is limited. Learn how to start.
6-minute read →
Remedies
Shoulder Braces and Slings: When Support Helps and When It Hinders
Shoulder braces and slings can help for a short time after some injuries or surgery. Long use may add stiffness. Here is how to decide with your clinician.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Red Light Therapy for Joints: Early Science, Big Marketing
Red light therapy is marketed for joint pain, but the human evidence is early and thin. Here is what is known and what to ask before you buy.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Kinesiology Tape for Shoulders: What the Studies Show
Does kinesiology tape help shoulder pain? What our sources can and cannot show, how it compares with other passive remedies, and when to get an assessment.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Chiropractic and Shoulder Pain: What It Can and Can't Do
Wondering about chiropractic for shoulder pain? Learn what hands-on care can and cannot do, what the evidence shows, and who to ask first.
5-minute read →
Remedies
Heat for Stiff Shoulders: Heating Pads, Showers and Warm-Ups
Warmth can ease a stiff shoulder for a while and make gentle movement feel easier. Here is what the evidence says about heating pads and warm showers.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Massage for Shoulder Pain: Relief, Not Repair
Massage can feel soothing for shoulder pain, but whether it changes the cause is unclear. What to ask your clinician before booking a session.
6-minute read →
Remedies
Herbal Remedies for Joint Pain: Devil's Claw, Boswellia, Willow Bark
What the evidence says about devil's claw, boswellia and willow bark for joint pain, and why your pharmacist should check first.
6-minute read →
Remedies
CBD for Joint Pain in Canada: Legal, Popular, Under-Studied
CBD is easy to find in Canada, but the studies reviewed here do not test it for joint pain. Here is what the evidence says about supplements, and who to ask.
5-minute read →
Remedies
Topical Creams for Shoulder Pain: Diclofenac, Capsaicin, Menthol
Diclofenac, capsaicin and menthol creams are common shoulder rubs. Learn what the evidence covers, the safety points, and when to ask a pharmacist.
6-minute read →
Remedies
TENS Units for Shoulder Pain: How They Work and What to Expect
TENS sends a mild electrical signal through the skin. Here is how it works, what the evidence in our sources shows, and when to ask a clinician first.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Dry Needling vs Acupuncture: What's the Difference?
Dry needling and acupuncture look alike but differ in theory and training. Learn what the shoulder evidence covers and who to ask about each.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Arnica for Bruises and Sore Shoulders: What's Real
Arnica is popular for bruises and sore shoulders, but the evidence is thin. Here is what is known and when to see a clinician first.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Foam Rolling and Massage Guns for Shoulders: Useful, Within Limits
Foam rollers and massage guns can feel good, but they are not exercise. Here is what the evidence supports and what to do instead.
6-minute read →
Remedies
Cupping for Shoulder Tension: Tradition, Marks and Evidence
Cupping has a long history in several traditions. Here is what the research does and does not show for shoulder tension, and who to ask first.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Osteopathy for Shoulders: Gentle Hands-On Care Explained
What osteopathy involves for shoulder pain, what our sources say about hands-on care, and when to see a clinician first.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Ice for Shoulder Pain: When It Helps and When It's Pointless
Ice can bring short-term comfort after a flare, but it is not a fix. Here is when it may help, when it's pointless, and when to get assessed.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Epsom Salt Baths: Comforting, Yes; Magnesium Absorption, Doubtful
Epsom salt baths can feel soothing, but the idea that they raise magnesium through the skin is not well supported. Here is what to know.
4-minute read →
Remedies
Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain: What a Cochrane Review Found
A Cochrane review found acupuncture for shoulder pain was close to sham treatment. Learn what the evidence shows and the better first steps.
5-minute read →
Remedies
Mindfulness and Pain: Changing the Volume, Not the Signal
Mindfulness may change how loud pain feels for some people. Our sources have no studies on it, so here is what to ask your clinician.
5-minute read →