Shoulder Pain in Bloomsdale, MO. If you live with shoulder pain, you know how debilitating it can be. It makes any basic task from pouring a cup of coffee to playing volleyball painful and, in some cases, impossible. But you do not need to live the rest of your life with pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes Physical Therapy in Bloomsdale, MO, our licensed physical therapists are experts at developing tailored treatment modalities, backed by proven research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Allow us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment through our website or reach out to our location most convenient for you.

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

The shoulder is among human body’s largest and most intricate joints. In reality, 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 a relatively small dish called the glenoid. Because the ball is several times larger than the socket, it is the most mobile joint in the body.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint connects the collarbone to the acromion, the part of the scapula that is the highest part of the shoulder. A gliding 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 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 coordination.
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.

In order to support 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 head of the humerus firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder
• the shoulder capsule, a soft tissue sac that encloses the joints in the shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which help connect bone to bone and help reinforce the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which allow muscles to power the bones
• the brachial plexus nerves that send motor messages from the brain to muscles and sensory information (like pain) from the joints back to the brain
• the blood vessels that pump much-needed blood to the shoulder

Being able to move your shoulder pain free depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. Blood must be allowed to reach the shoulder keep oxygen levels and muscles strong and repair minor damage. The muscles strong enough to move and flexible enough to safely make those movements, the tendons connecting them to the bones must be intact and strong, the ligaments that attach our bones need to be similarly healthy, and the nerves need to have a strong and secure connection to the brain. When any of these functions are not being carried out in a healthy way, it can lead to a disruption of the entire system, 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 no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What Causes Shoulder Pain?

As the shoulder has so many moving parts, shoulder pain can have many root causes, from sports injuries to being struck by an object, a work injury from overuse to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. Below are common causes of shoulder pain that our team see in Bloomsdale, 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 inflamed after repeated activities, often occurs in combination with irritation of the rotator cuff, and can make daily tasks like getting dressed tremendously difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is typically caused by inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It typically falls into one of two categories:
  • Acute: This can happen because of a sudden blow, repeated overhead motions, or other overhead activities common in some sports and occupations, such as tennis or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: This can happen because of wear and tear or the body becoming weaker as we get older.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be acute, like falling on an outstretched arm, or repetitive movements or old age. The tendon is initially frayed before becoming torn. People often live with partial tears unaware. Complete tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Associated symptoms are pain when performing specific movements, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a cracking sensation when performing certain movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement describes when your acromion (outer edge of your shoulder blade) pinches the soft tissue in your shoulder. It often occurs in combination with an injury that causes inflammation in the rotator cuff. 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 exits the shoulder socket, and also can happen suddenly or from wear and tear. 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 supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Long-term instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While arthritis refers to a range of diagnoses, osteoarthritis is the condition that typically affects the shoulder. It occurs when the cartilage cushioning the ends of your bones degenerates. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, persistent injuries, and overuse. There is no cure for arthritis, but effective pain management is possible with Bloomsdale, MO physical and occupational therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The humerus, collarbone, and shoulder blade are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They are often the result of falling a significant distance or onto a hard surface or high-energy collisions such as being tackles in a football game. The shoulder pain is immediate and obvious, along with substantial inflammation and bruising.
• Axillary Nerve Injuries or Brachial Plexus Injuries — Nerve damage in the shoulder is the result of when nerves are stretched, when scar tissue interferes with their electric signals, 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 occur because of overuse.

At times, one injury leads to another, such as a dislocation causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our safe, free injury screenings in Bloomsdale, MO may help determine why you’re experiencing the pain. To diagnose shoulder pain a physician in Bloomsdale, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy. Most people who experience shoulder pain can find relief with a personalized treatment plan with certified physical therapists and movement health specialists in Bloomsdale, MO can be a great way to return to a pain-free daily life and the active lifestyle you deserve.

How Do Bloomsdale, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

Your tailored and evidence-backed physical therapy treatments may include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to detect and treat any problems with your muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• 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 provide support for your shoulder and allow you to participate in physical activity or work while you are still recovering
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack irritated muscles, ligaments, and tendons deeper in the body to stimulate blood flow
• Posture correction to ensure you are not inadvertently causing your shoulder pain or heal improperly
• Injury prevention so you and your shoulder and stay healthy and active
• Other safe, effective treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Law stipulates that you need a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s necessary to speak to your Bloomsdale, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists form a team with your primary care physician to make sure your treatment plan fits into your overall treatment plan.

Other services we offer in Bloomsdale, MO include:

• Shin Splint Treatment
• Direct Access Physical Therapy
• Gait Analysis
• Pelvic Floor Therapy
• Dry Needling Near Me
• Tendonitis Treatment
• Manual Physical Therapy
• Orthopedic Rehab Near Me
• Beginner Running Program
• Chronic Pain Treatment

Bloomsdale, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

A healthy shoulder is essential to not only living our every day life, but to keeping up the active lifestyles we desire. At Axes, we focus on patient results for our Bloomsdale, MO clients by developing evidence-backed treatment plans based on your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. You do not have to delay in getting back to the activities you love and a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment through our website or find the location most convenient for you.