Shoulder Pain in Arnold, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It can make any basic task from watering the flowers to diving for a softball frustrating and, for certain people, not even an option. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Arnold, MO, our professional physical therapists create tailored treatment plans, backed by proven research, to get you back to the activities you love most. Allow us to make your shoulder pain an ancient memory. Request an appointment through our website or find our location most convenient for you.

The Human Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Arnold, MO

The shoulder is one of the the largest and most intricate joints we have. In reality, it is a compound of four joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the scapula. A gliding joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a gliding joint located where the collarbone meets the sternum at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it it ensures your arm and body move in tandem.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is not a true anatomical joint as it does not have ligaments connecting it to bone. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the part of rib cage at the back of our bodies.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder is made up of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup covering the head of the upper arm bone, which power movement and keep the head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that surrounds and protects the shoulder
• the four shoulder ligaments which attach bones together and provide stability for the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which connect muscle to bone
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the arteries that supply much-needed blood to the shoulder

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must function well. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles must have adequate strength and flexibility, the tendons attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help support proper structure, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it often causes shoulder pain and movement problems. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, contact Axes’ physical therapists for a free injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from repeated activities to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Arnold, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after repeated activities, often occurs in association with rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make daily tasks like brushing your teeth immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of trauma, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as tennis or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we get weaker.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like lifting an incredibly heavy object, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. A partial thickness tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which go all the way through the tendon, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include pain with specific movements, pain when sleeping, and a popping feeling when performing certain motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement is the result of the rotator cuff and bursae rubbing against your shoulder blade. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings after an injury. Shoulder impingement occurs the most in people who play sports or are otherwise active.
• Shoulder Instability — This occurs when the humerus is forced out of the shoulder socket, and also can be the result of injury or overuse. A dislocation can be partial, coming in and out of the socket, or complete when the bone completely comes out of the socket. It often causes or is the result of injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While there are at least six kinds of arthritis, the shoulder most typically suffers from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. Common causes include old age, repeated trauma, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but you can find effective pain management methods with Arnold, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most prone to fracture. They usually happen as the result of falling from a height or high-energy collisions such as a car accident. The shoulder pain is usually intense, along with substantial inflammation and contusions.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder can occur when nerves are impinged on, when scar tissue interferes with communication between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves burst. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are commonly caused by high-impact trauma but can also happen because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as a fracture causing damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Arnold, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Arnold, MO may use a physical examination, various imaging techniques, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. Most people who experience shoulder pain can experience recovery with a customized treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists and movement health specialists in Arnold, MO can be a successful way to return to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Arnold, MO

Your customized and evidence-backed physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify soft tissue restrictions, break down scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your physician, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to reduce pain and inflammation and keep you safe as you participate in sports or go back to work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to make sure you do not contribute to your injuries or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you can keep participating in the activities you love
• Other safe, effective techniques to increase and maintain your mobility

Missouri Law requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Arnold, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists work alongside your primary care physician to ensure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Arnold, MO include:

• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment
• Spine Specialist Near Me
• MCL Injury
• Injury Prevention

Arnold, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is imperative to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Arnold, MO residents by implementing evidence-backed treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment through our website or find our location most convenient for you.