Shoulder Pain in Barretts, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how hard it can be to manage. It makes everything from driving to serving an ace on the tennis court painful and, in some cases, impossible. But pain and limited shoulder movement is usually manageable and beatable with safe and effective treatment. At Axes PT in Barretts, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at creating personalized treatment plans, based on evidence, to get you back to optimal movement health. Trust in us to turn your shoulder pain from a daily occurrence into a thing of the past. Schedule an appointment through our website or find our location nearest you.

The Anatomy of the Shoulder | Shoulder Pain in Barretts, MO

The shoulder is among the largest and most complex joints we have. In truth, it is made up of four independent smaller joints:

1. The glenohumeral (GH) joint is a ball and socket joint where the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the socket of the glenoid. Given the relatively shallow socket, it allows for more movement than any other joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the clavicle to the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A plane joint, it allows your shoulder blade to follow the movements of the other shoulder joints.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint located where the clavicle meets the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the torso, it connects the movement of the upper limb with the core of your body.
4. The scapulothoracic (ST) “joint” is more of a “floating” joint as it does not have does not have union by fibrous, cartilaginous or synovial tissues. It is made up of the scapula and its articulation with the ribcage.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the humerus, which allow for movement movement and stabilize the ball of the humerus within the shoulder socket
• the shoulder capsule, a a fluid-filled sac that surrounds and lubricates the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which provide passive stability while still allowing for a wide range of movements
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which allow muscles to power the bones
• the brachial plexus nerves that allow the brain to tell the shoulder and arm to move and the shoulder to tell the brain when it feels pain or other sensory information
• the blood vessels that supply nutrient-rich blood to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons

In order for the shoulder to function properly the entire complex system must be able to work together. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and stimulate the body’s natural recovery processes. 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 connecting bones need to be similarly healthy, 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 complimentary injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder is complex, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to acute trauma, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are common causes of shoulder pain that our physical and occupations therapists see in Barretts, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as shock absorbers and reduce friction in joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because irritated after overuse, often occurs in association with shoulder impingement, and can make daily activities like getting dressed immensely painful.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: The result of trauma, excessive overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and fields of employment, such as throwing overhead or moving objects above your head.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of degenerative conditions or general weakness as we age.

  Symptoms include aching, tenderness, and mild swelling.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by sudden trauma, such a blow to the shoulder, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. A partial tear often goes unnoticed. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Common symptoms are having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a clicking feeling when performing 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 humerus is allowed to move out of the socket when the capsule or ligaments become damaged, and also can happen suddenly or from 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 happens in combination with injury to the surrounding areas of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and a sense of the shoulder “giving way.”
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones breaks down. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, repeated trauma, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with Barretts, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the bones in the shoulder most vulnerable to fracture. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-impact collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, 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 signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are otherwise damaged. Axillary nerve and brachial plexus injuries can cause shoulder pain along with a range of other sensations. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also occur because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example an impingement that leads to damage to the nerves. If you’re currently suffering from shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Barretts, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Barretts, 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 professional physical therapists and movement health specialists in Barretts, MO can be a successful way to return to optimal movement health.

Treating Your Shoulder Pain in Barretts, MO

Your customized and evidence-backed physical therapy treatment plan may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to identify degenerative tissue, smooth out scar tissue, and treat the affected area
• Pre- and post-surgical rehabilitation, based on a plan with come up with alongside your doctor, 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 work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to strengthen muscles while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to target harder-to-reach irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons to encourage the body’s natural healing processes
• Posture correction to make sure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or do not heal correctly
• Injury prevention so you do not lose your active lifestyle in the future
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law states that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s important to speak to your Barretts, MO physician to see if physical therapy is safe and an effective treatment option for your shoulder pain. Our experienced physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Barretts, 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

Barretts, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health is important to not only living our every day life, but to doing the things we love. At Axes, we focus on patient results for our Barretts, MO clients by developing proven 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 activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment online or find the location nearest you.