Shoulder Pain in Bloomsdale, MO. Those who experience shoulder pain know how hard it can be to manage. It can make any daily task from driving to diving for a softball painful and, sometimes, not even an option. But you do not have to accept pain and limited shoulder movement. At Axes PT in Bloomsdale, MO, our experienced physical therapists specialize in customized treatment modalities, proven to work through research, to get you back to striking out opponents, or just combing your hair pain-free. Trust in us to safely and effectively treat your shoulder pain. Schedule an appointment online or find the location most convenient for you.

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

The shoulder is among the largest and most intricate 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. As the ball is several times larger than the socket, it has the widest range of motion as any other human joint.
2. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed by the junction of the clavicle the acromion, the bony tip on the outer edge of the shoulder blade. A gliding joint, it helps extend the upper extremity from the trunk.
3. The sternoclavicular (SC) joint is a plane-style synovial joint formed by the collarbone the breastbone at the foundation of the neck. As the only joint that connects the arm to the body, it it ensures your arm and body act 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.

The shoulder is supported and surrounded by:

• the four muscles of the rotator cup that surround the head of the upper arm bone, which are responsible for 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 shoulder
• the ligaments of the shoulder which attach bones together and help reinforce the capsule
• the tendons in the biceps and shoulder which connect muscle to bone
• 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 shoulder

Proper shoulder strength, flexibility, and movement depends on every part of the system being healthy and working together. 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 attaching bone and muscle must be strong, flexible, and free of rips or tears, the ligaments that attach our bones need to help maintain structure, and the brain and shoulder need to have clear communication with each other. When any of these parts are not at optimal health, it can lead to a disruption of the entire system, and anywhere from nagging to severe shoulder pain or loss of function. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain or any other symptoms of a shoulder injury, reach out to Axes’ physical therapists for a no-risk, no-obligation injury screening.

What’s Behind My Shoulder Pain?

Shoulder pain can be caused by numerous different circumstances, from sports injuries to acute trauma, a work injury from repeated activities to our bodies just getting weaker as we get older. The following are the most common underlying conditions that lead to shoulder pain in Bloomsdale, MO:

• Bursitis — The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons, and muscles in and around your joints. Bursitis occurs when the bursae because swollen after repeated activities, often occurs at the same time as rotator cuff tendinitis, and can make basic activities like carrying groceries immensely difficult.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis generally occurs because of a tendon becoming irritated. There are two types of tendinitis:
  • Acute: The result of a sudden blow, repeated throwing, or other overhead activities common in some competitive and activities and occupations, such as swimming or lifting and lowering objects.
  • Chronic: The result of degenerative conditions or the body becoming weaker as we age.

  The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside the joint.

• Rotator Cuff Tear — These can also be caused by acute injuries, like a blow to the shoulder, or more chronic in nature. They usually start with fraying and then tear. People often live with partial tears obliviously. Full-thickness tears, which pull the tendon off the bone, do not heal by themselves. Symptoms include having difficulty raising your arm or lifting things you normally can, pain when lying on the side of the affected shoulder, and a grinding sensation when performing specific movements.
• Shoulder Impingement — Impingement occurs when your acromion (the bony tip of your shoulder blade) irritates the soft tissue in your shoulder. 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 happens when the humerus is forced out of 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 causes or is the result of injury to the supporting soft tissue of the shoulder. Chronic instability will result in shoulder pain and unsteadiness when performing certain motions.
• Arthritis — While there are at least six types of arthritis, the shoulder most typically experiences osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your bones weakens and wears away. Common causes include tissue weakening as we become older, repeated trauma, and wear and tear. Arthritis cannot be cured, but you can find effective pain management methods with Bloomsdale, MO physical therapists.
• Shoulder Fractures — The upper arm bone, clavicle, and scapula are the most commonly broken bones in the shoulder. They usually happen as 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, and the shoulder will experience 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 signals between the brain and shoulder, or the nerves are torn into two pieces. These injuries can cause shoulder pain, stingers, weakness, and loss of sensation in your shoulder, arm, or hand. They are usually the result of sudden trauma but can also occur because of wear and tear.

At times, one injury leads to another, for example an impingement causing damage to the nerves. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, one of our no-risk, free injury screenings in Bloomsdale, MO may help you discover why you’re experiencing the pain. If you’ve sustained a severe injury or have severe shoulder pain, a physician in Bloomsdale, MO may use a physical examination, an X-Ray, an MRI, a CT scan, arthrogram, and/or arthroscopy to discover the cause. For most injuries or conditions that cause shoulder pain, a tailored treatment plan with knowledgeable physical therapists that are experts in movement health in Bloomsdale, MO can be an effective way to get you back to the activities you love.

How Do Bloomsdale, MO Physical Therapists Treat Shoulder Pain?

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

• 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 surgeon, 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 physical activity or work while your body heals
• Blood flow restriction training to improve strength while reducing overall stress on the shoulder
• Trigger point dry needling to attack harder-to-reach damaged soft tissue to stimulate blood flow
• 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 treatment methods to optimize your mobility

Missouri Revised Statute §334.506 requires a prescription for physical therapy, so it’s important to speak to your Bloomsdale, MO doctor to see if physical therapy is rights for your shoulder pain. Our knowledgeable physical and occupational therapists are responsible and work closely with your primary care physician to ensure you are getting the care that is safe for your condition.

Other services we offer in Bloomsdale, 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

Bloomsdale, MO Shoulder Pain | Axes Physical Therapy

Optimal movement health 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 patient results for Bloomsdale, MO residents by implementing proven treatment plans catered to your injury, pain level, age, and desired activity level. Do not wait to get back to the things you love doing most and a pain-free life. Request an appointment online or find the location most convenient for you.