Stiff Shoulders: Frequently Asked Questions

Stiff shoulders are caused by muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and back. Maintaining a forward-leaning posture for long periods, working at a computer with your arms raised, or having a habit of shifting your weight to one side while standing are all factors that put strain on the shoulder area. Since the nature of the pain varies from person to person, it is important to identify the cause if symptoms persist.

At YAYOI CLINIC, we offer “shoulder Botox”—injections of botulinum toxin—to treat stiff shoulders caused by muscle tension. This treatment aims to relieve excessive muscle tension. A physician will examine the areas of stiffness in your shoulders, muscle development, and any asymmetry between the left and right sides to determine your eligibility for the procedure, as well as the injection sites and dosage.

At YAYOI CLINIC, we determine the injection sites by assessing the location of the muscles causing shoulder stiffness, the development of the trapezius muscles, and any asymmetry between the left and right sides. Even with the same type of shoulder stiffness, the areas of tension vary from person to person. In addition to the degree of muscle tension, we also discuss your desired shoulder contour and adjust the injection sites and dosage to suit each individual’s condition.

Changes resulting from shoulder Botox generally appear gradually, typically 3 days to 2 weeks after the procedure. You may not notice significant changes immediately after the procedure; instead, as tension in the trapezius muscle eases, you may begin to feel a difference in your shoulder stiffness or the contour of your shoulders. Since the timing and extent of these changes vary from person to person, we will assess them based on your progress following the procedure.

With shoulder Botox, since the injections are administered into the muscles from the shoulder to the neck, you may feel some pain from the needle prick. At YAYOI CLINIC, we use BIANCA CLINIC’s proprietary “pain-free Botox” formula to help minimize discomfort during the injection. Since pain sensitivity varies from person to person, please consult with us before your procedure if you have any concerns about using anesthesia.

With shoulder Botox, you may experience pain, swelling, redness, or bruising at the injection site, as well as a feeling of heaviness or stiffness around the shoulder. Since muscle strength may temporarily weaken, making it difficult to raise your shoulder, it is important to carefully determine the injection sites and dosage. At YAYOI CLINIC, we assess the development of the trapezius muscles, any asymmetry between the left and right sides, and the degree of stiffness before deciding whether to proceed with the treatment.

At YAYOI CLINIC, shoulder Botox treatments are not available for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Since the botulinum toxin used in these treatments affects muscle function, it is necessary to confirm whether you have any pre-existing medical conditions or hypersensitivity to the medication. Individuals with systemic neuromuscular disorders or hypersensitivity to the medication are also ineligible for treatment. If you may be pregnant or are taking any medications, please inform your doctor before the procedure.

At YAYOI CLINIC, you may take a bath on the same day as your shoulder Botox treatment. You may also wash your face and apply makeup on the same day. However, redness, swelling, or bruising may occur at the injection site. Since shoulder strength may be temporarily reduced, please inform your doctor before the procedure if you have any plans to participate in sports that involve using your shoulders.

If the bulge in your shoulder is caused by tight trapezius muscles, shoulder Botox may help make it less noticeable. At YAYOI CLINIC, we assess the development of your trapezius muscles and any asymmetry between the left and right sides to determine the injection sites and dosage. In addition to relieving shoulder stiffness, this treatment aims to smooth out the line from your neck to your shoulders. We will determine the cause of the bulge during your consultation.

When muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and back leads to stiff shoulders, it may be accompanied by headaches or nausea. However, nausea can sometimes be caused by other factors, such as migraines, so stiff shoulders are not necessarily the sole cause. If your symptoms are severe or have started suddenly, please consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause before considering shoulder Botox.