- Who it’s for
- Adults with joint, tendon or muscle pain, stiffness or a recent strain
- Visit length
- Varies — ask when booking
- What to bring
- Medicine list, past imaging reports and notes on what makes the pain better or worse
- Insurance
- Most visits billed to insurance — call to confirm your plan
Finding the cause of your pain
Joint and muscle pain can come from overuse, strains and sprains, arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, gout and other conditions. Dr. Shin asks when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and whether you’ve had swelling, stiffness or an injury. The exam checks for swelling, warmth, tenderness and how well the joint moves.
If needed, tests such as a joint X-ray or blood tests help narrow down the cause. See lab tests and imaging.
Therapeutic injections
For some kinds of joint, bursa or tendon inflammation, an injection of a corticosteroid, usually given with a numbing medicine, can relieve pain and swelling. The numbing medicine works right away but wears off within hours. The steroid usually starts working in about 5 to 7 days. Pain may return, and how long relief lasts varies.
Possible risks include pain or bruising at the injection site, swelling, skin irritation or color change, infection, allergic reaction, and a temporary rise in blood sugar for people with diabetes. Tell us about your medicines, and whether you have diabetes, before an injection.
Therapeutic ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound applies sound waves to the treatment area with a small handheld device. At our Torrance office, it is provided by Dr. Shin as one part of your treatment plan; it is not physical therapy. Research on how much it helps is limited. For example, a 2020 Cochrane review found that the evidence does not support its use for chronic low back pain. Dr. Shin will talk with you about whether it makes sense for your condition.
Physical therapy and specialist care
When you need rehabilitation to rebuild strength and movement, we refer you to licensed physical therapists. If your problem may need surgery or other specialized care, such as a serious injury or joint damage that isn’t improving, Dr. Shin can refer you to an orthopedic specialist and go over the plan with you.
What to expect
Evaluation
A review of your history and a hands-on exam of the painful area, plus tests if needed.
Plan
Options may include rest and activity changes, medicines, an injection, therapeutic ultrasound or a referral.
Treatment
Any procedure is explained first, including its risks and aftercare.
Follow up
You check in on your progress, and the plan is adjusted if the pain doesn’t improve.
Common questions
When should I see a doctor for joint pain?
Make an appointment if joint pain lasts more than several days, if you have severe unexplained pain and swelling, or if the pain comes with a fever that isn’t from the flu or with weight loss you can’t explain. After an injury, get emergency care if a bone may be broken or you can’t move the joint.
How long does a cortisone shot take to work?
The numbing medicine in the shot can ease pain for the first few hours. The steroid usually starts working about 5 to 7 days after the injection. Your usual pain may come back for a few days once the numbing wears off, and how long relief lasts varies from person to person.
Are steroid injections safe?
Like any procedure, steroid injections have possible risks, including pain or bruising at the site, skin changes, infection, allergic reaction and a temporary rise in blood sugar if you have diabetes. Dr. Shin will go over the possible benefits and risks for your situation before any injection.
Is therapeutic ultrasound the same as physical therapy?
No. Here, therapeutic ultrasound is provided by Dr. Shin as one part of your treatment plan. Physical therapy is a separate service from licensed physical therapists, who guide exercise and rehabilitation. If you need physical therapy, we refer you to a licensed physical therapist.
What can I do at home for sore joints?
For joint pain that isn’t from arthritis, MedlinePlus suggests both rest and exercise, along with warm baths, massage and stretching. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help. Check with Dr. Shin first if you have other health conditions or take other medicines, and before giving aspirin or ibuprofen to children.
Important information
- Treatment starts with an exam. Injections and therapeutic ultrasound aren’t right for every problem, and Dr. Shin will explain the options that fit your condition.
- Go to the emergency room or call 911 for a possible broken bone, loss of movement after an injury, a bone pushing through the skin, or severe pain. Call us promptly if a painful, swollen joint comes with a fever.
Sources & further reading
- Joint pain (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Steroid injections - tendon, bursa, joint (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Rehabilitation (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Therapeutic ultrasound for chronic low back pain (Cochrane review, 2020) (opens in a new tab) — Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, via PubMed Central (National Library of Medicine)
- When to use the emergency room - adult (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Last updated October 2026. This page is educational and does not replace a visit with a clinician.
