Shoulder Pain in Barnhart, MO. Those who suffer from shoulder pain know the effect it can have on your life. It makes any basic task from pouring a cup of coffee to playing volleyball painful and, for some of us, unfeasible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes Physical Therapy in Barnhart, MO, our professional physical therapists specialize in personalized treatment modalities, based on evidence, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Let us help you turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment online or call our location most convenient for you.

How Does the Shoulder Work? | Shoulder Pain in Barnhart, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In reality, what we call the shoulder joint is made up of four different joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint responsible for connecting the upper extremity to the trunk. Because the the top of the humerus is 3-4 times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the collarbone the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A plane joint, it allows you to outstretch your arm.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the collarbone meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. This joint is where the arm and torso meet, it it ensures your arm and body move in coordination.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” joint as it does not have typical joint characteristics. It attaches and allows movement between the shoulder blade and the thoracic cage.

In addition to those four joints, the shoulder consists of:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which are responsible for movement and keep the ball of the upper arm bone stable
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and help reinforce the capsule
• the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons which allow muscles to power the bones
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow for the brain and muscles to communicate with each other
• the blood vessels that supply nutrient-rich blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Optimal shoulder and movement health depends on every part of the system functioning well. Sufficient blood must reach to the shoulder efficiently to keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any one of the parts of the shoulder is damaged, inflamed, or otherwise irritated, it can lead to a disruption of the whole network, and anywhere from nagging to intense shoulder pain or loss of function. 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 is complex, shoulder pain can have any of a number of root causes, from sports injuries to a car accident, a work injury from overuse to old age. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Barnhart, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis the result of the bursae becoming irritated after overuse, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic tasks like carrying groceries incredibly difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities needed in some sports and occupations, such as volleyball or lifting boxes overhead.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  Symptoms include aching, throbbing, and slight swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, such a blow to the shoulder, or wear and tear. They begin with fraying and ultimately tear. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, where the tendon is completely detached from the bone, often require surgery. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when sleeping, and a clicking sensation with specific motions.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your scapula) rubs against the soft tissue in your shoulder. It is often the result of rotator cuff swellings because of an injury. Shoulder impingement is rarely caused by overuse, and is most common in athletes or others who engage in physical activity.
• Shoulder Instability — This happens when the ball of the humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become stretched, torn, or detached, 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 is accompanied by injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Long-term instability will cause shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the form that typically affects the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bones. It can be the result of tissue weakening as we become older, frequent trauma, and wear and tear. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management can be found with Barnhart, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, clavicle, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling from a height or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is usually severe, along with considerable 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 their electric signals, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of sensation in your upper extremities. They are commonly caused by a sudden blow but can also occur because of degenerative conditions.

Sometimes, injuries are intertwined, such as instability that leads to impingement. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-obligation, free injury screenings in Barnhart, MO may help you discover the underlying cause. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Barnhart, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a customized treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Barnhart, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the activities you love.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Barnhart, MO

Your personalized and proven physical therapy may include any one or a variety of different treatment plans:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any soft tissue disorders
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, coordinated together with your doctor, if your shoulder pain was caused by an injury that needed surgery to correct
• Kinesio Taping® to provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to ensure 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 Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so you need to reach out to your Barnhart, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Barnhart, MO include:

• Physical Therapy Clinic
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
• Sciatica Treatment
• Sports Medicine
• Hand Pain Physical Therapy
• Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment
• Hip Pain Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Stroke Rehabilitation
• Hip Replacement Physical Therapy

Barnhart, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A well-functioning shoulder is essential to not only carrying out daily tasks with ease, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on positive outcomes for Barnhart, MO people of all ages by implementing proven treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and how physically active you need to be. You do not have to delay in getting back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Make an appointment online or call the location most convenient for you.